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Home : Travel Health : Notices and International Reports : Travel Health Advisory: Archive (by date) : 2005

Travel Health Advisory

International Reports of Polio

Update: June 27, 2005

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor reports of poliovirus transmission globally.

Indonesia

Between June 15 and June 26, 2005, health authorities in Indonesia confirmed an additional 26 cases of polio, bringing the country's total case count to 65, since May 02, 2005. At this time, cases have been recorded in the neighbouring districts of Sukabumi, Lebak, Bogor, Cianjur, and Serang in West Java (also known as Jawa Berat); in the Demak district in Central Java (also known as Jawa Tengah); and in the province of Banten. The viral strain in this outbreak has been confirmed as type-1 and is genetically linked to poliovirus circulating in Nigeria. Indonesia had been polio-free since 1995.

Cases of Polio in 2005 as reported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – as of June 21, 2005**

Country Cases
Yemen 264
Nigeria 168
Indonesia 55
Sudan 25
India 18
Ethiopia 12
Pakistan 10
Afghanistan 3
Niger 2
Mali 1
Cameroon 1
Total Cases 559

** Figures are provided by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and may not include recently reported cases.

Sources: Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organization (WHO)

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is an acute infectious disease caused by one of three gastrointestinal viruses, either polio virus type 1, 2 or 3. The polio virus can attack the nervous system and destroy the nerve cells that activate muscles. As a result, the affected muscles no longer function, and irreversible paralysis can occur. In severe cases, the disease may lead to death. Polio mainly affects children under 3 years of age, but can strike older children and adults as well.

For additional information on the prevention and treatment of polio, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada's Disease Information Backgrounder on Polio.

Recommendations

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that Canadian international travellers contact a physician or travel medicine clinic prior to departure for an individual risk assessment. Based on travellers' current health status, previous immunization history and anticipated travel itinerary, their need for immunizations including polio can be assessed.

For Canadians travelling to countries where poliomyelitis occurs, primary immunization of children and, if indicated, primary immunization of adults or a booster dose for adults, are recommended in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)

For additional information:

Read the Travel Medicine Program's previous Travel Health Advisories on polio.

Consult the Public Health Agency of Canada's document: Immunizations Recommended for Travel Outside of Canada.

Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization NACI to view the Canadian Immunization Guide, 6th Edition.

Visit the World Health Organization's Global Polio Eradication Initiative website at: www.polioeradication.org. New window

 
Last Updated: 2005-06-27 top
Important Notices