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Poliomyelitis in Pakisatan (Update)

23 Jul 2013

Three new poliomyelitis cases were reported in the past week from Khyber Agency and North Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), bringing the total number of cases for 2013 to 21. The case from Peshawar is the most recent in the country, and had onset of paralysis on 30 June.

FATA is the major reservoir in Pakistan at the moment. Bara in Khyber Agency is particularly affected. This outbreak is threatening progress achieved elsewhere in the country and in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The new case in North Waziristan is of concern as it is in an area where immunisations have been suspended by local leaders since last June. Immunisations in neighbouring high-risk areas are being intensified, to further boost population immunity levels in those areas and prevent further spread of this outbreak.

Advice for Travellers

It is recommended that travellers have a poliomyelitis booster (or course) if not already protected and take precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.