Poliomeylitis (or what is commonly known as Polio) is an
extremely contagious viral disease that invades the nervous system of humans.
Experts estimate that 72% of infected individuals will have no symptoms, while
24% will experience fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, and other flu-like
symptoms. In the most severe form (1% of infected individuals), Polio causes
paralysis that will result in difficulty breathing and in some cases even
death. There is no known cure for individuals infected with this disease.
For the majority of students in this class Polio has never
been a concern to us. In 1979, the United States became Polio free. This
eradication of polio from the western hemisphere is considered as the most
significant public health achievement, however in areas like Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Syria, Cameroon, and the Horn of Africa this disease is still cause
for concern.
How was polio eradicated so quickly from the United States?
Polio was eradicated so quickly due to concerted vaccination efforts through
already established health infrastructure. Vaccinations are the key strategy to
eradicate Polio. Currently, there are two types of vaccines that protect
against Polio infection: inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and oral polio vaccine
(OPV). While OPV is no longer used in the United States and other developed
countries it is the main vaccination strategy in developing countries. IPV is
still used in the United States and is given via an injection in the arm or
leg. Most children in developed countries, like the United States receive 4
doses of IPV during childhood at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and a booster
at 4 to 6 years of age.
Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) Program was an initiative
started in 1998 to strengthen acute flaccid paralysis surveillance, support
national immunization days, and conduct Polio case investigation and follow-up.
Over the years the program has expanded to include supporting measles
vaccinations and other routine immunizations.
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| A STOP volunteer educates parents in a rural village about the importance of vaccinations. |
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| All STOP team assignment by country from 1999 to 2013 |
Planning on traveling soon? If you are planning to visit a
country with a wild poliovirus (WPV) outbreak it is recommended you ensure
proper vaccinations. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend
adults receive a single lifetime IPV booster dose before traveling. These recommendations
are based on historical evidence of cross-border transmission.
so why is Polio still prevalent in these countries? Vaccination problem? Sanitation problem? Religious problem? Cultural? conflict? what could be other insights from the perspective of a global health professional?
ReplyDeletelet me talk about my country, Egypt. we do not have that much cases of polio, but every now and then you will find one or at least find a case which had paralytic polio due to lack of vaccination. in Egypt the OPV is administered and characterized by what is called a "Herd immunity". It occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a population (or herd) provides a measure of protection for individuals who have not developed immunity.Herd immunity theory proposes that, in contagious diseases that immunity are transmitted from individual to individual.
ReplyDeleteMany people have what is called fear of vaccine they thought that vaccine will bring them diseases for example, Autism. Others do not believe on its effectiveness. Also, many educated people depends on that herd immunity to protect their kids, where in some cases, it did not work. I participated in many campaigns back in Egypt where we pass by the doors and give them the OPV vaccine, most of them accept, but still some others who refuses, because they did not trust us,and others because they do not believe in the vaccine effectiveness. there is also a quite number who did not get the vaccine properly( either miss doses,(they think that one dose is enough) or the child spill or vomit directly the vaccine).