International Reports of Polio

Update: July 19, 2005

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

Indonesia

Between July 8 and July 14, 2005, 2005, health authorities in Indonesia confirmed an additional 3 cases of polio, bringing the country's total case count to 125, 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 provinces of Banten and Lampung. 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.

Angola

As of July 12, 2005, the Ministry of Health of Angola has reported an additional case of polio, bringing the country's total case count to 2. No details are available at this time. The initial case, a 17-month old girl, from the metropolitan area of the capital, Luanda, with a previous history of oral polio vaccine (OPV), developed fever and paralysis in both legs on 25 April. The affected child and her family have no travel history

Testing of t he type-1 wild poliovirus identified in this case shows that it originated in India, and suggests that the virus was recently imported into Angola. An investigation did not detect spread beyond the community.

Cases of Polio in 2005 as reported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – as of July 12, 2005**

Country	Cases
Yemen	326
Nigeria	194
Indonesia	125
Sudan	25
India	20
Ethiopia	13
Pakistan	11
Afghanistan	3
Niger	2
Angola	2
Mali	1
Cameroon	1
Total Cases	759
** 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.

Français	Contact Us	Help	Search	Canada Site

Home	Centres-Labs	Publications	Guidelines	A-Z Index

Child Health	Adult Health	Seniors Health	Surveillance	Health Canada


	Last Updated: 2005-07-19		Important Notices