Global Polio Situation Update
Released: February 2, 2005
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor the
current global trends of polio. Since its inception in 1988, t he UNICEF-led
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has significantly reduced
the global transmission of polio. The initiative has seen the number
of cases of polio reported globally fall from 350,000 in 1988 to 784
cases in 2003. Furthermore, the virus was endemic (constantly present)
in only 6 countries in 2003, compared to 125 countries in 1988.
However, as of January 25, 2005, a total of 1,212 cases of polio
were reported globally for 2004. This figure represents a 55% increase
over the 784 cases reported in 2003. The increase is attributed
to a decrease in immunization activity in sub-Saharan Africa.
In November 2004, the World Health Organization reported that, in
2004, sub-Saharan Africa experienced epidemic poliomyelitis when, from
August 2003 to July 2004, the state of Kano, Nigeria, halted immunization
against the disease, and some neighbouring countries had low routine
immunization coverage. As a result, several African countries (Benin, Chad, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte
d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Togo, Sudan and Botswana in southern
Africa ) that had been polio free, reported imported cases of polio -
all linked to wild polio-virus circulating in Northern Nigeria . Polio
has since become re-established (that is, continued circulation for more
than 6 months) in four of these countries - Sudan , Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Burkina Faso.
Of the six remaining countries where polio remains endemic (constantly
present), Nigeria reported 774 cases, India 130 cases, Pakistan 49 cases,
Niger 25 cases, Afghanistan 4 cases and Egypt 1 case.
To halt polio transmission by the end of 2005, the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative has outlined an intensified plan based largely on Synchronized
National Immunization Days. Neighbouring countries, reporting cases of
polio, will coordinate their immunization activities and immunize every
child under the age of 5 regardless of previous immunization status.
SNIDs are conducted in two rounds, one month apart, to ensure that population
immunity is sufficiently high to stop any further transmission of wild
poliovirus and to protect against further importations.
Sources: Global Polio Eradication Initiative,
World Health Organization (WHO)
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 National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
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