Just when you thought it was safe to forget about polio

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Vaccines

Just when you thought it was safe to forget about polio

5 July 2023

By Edwin Reynolds

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 12:20 AM

Iron lung machines were used by patients with polio whose ability to breathe was thwarted due to paralysis [Image: CDC]

Post-COVID polio resurgence combined with an alarming drop-off in vaccine coverage, particularly among Māori, makes polio a re-emerging threat that we must be prepared for

Key points, Let’s be polio prepared – immunise and notify acute flaccid paralysis on suspicion. Risk factors include contact with faecal-contaminated water, tra, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Infectious Disease

References

1. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026: Delivering on a promise. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2021.

2. Davlantes E. Notes from the field: Initial outbreak response activity following wild poliovirus type 1 detection – Malawi, February 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71(23):776–77.

3. WHO. History of the polio vaccine.

4. Klapsa D, Wilton T, Zealand A, et al. Sustained detection of type 2 poliovirus in London sewage between February and July, 2022, by enhanced environmental surveillance. Lancet 2022;400(10362):1531–38.

5. Fortner R. Polio in New York: will it just go away? BMJ 2022;379:o2450.

6. Ryerson AB, Lang D, Alazawi MA, et al. Wastewater testing and detection of poliovirus type 2 genetically linked to virus isolated from a paralytic polio case – New York, March 9-October 11, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71(44):1418–24.

7. McClorey Hackett K. Children in Israel Confirmed with Polio. Precision Vaccinations, 3 March 2023.

8. Bigouette JP, Henderson E, Traoré MA, et al. Update on vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks – worldwide, January 2021-December 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72(14):366–71.

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