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Wild poliovirus confirmed in China (WHO, September 1 2011)

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  • Wild poliovirus confirmed in China (WHO, September 1 2011)

    [Source: WHO, full page: (LINK).]
    Wild poliovirus confirmed in China



    1 September 2011 -The Ministry of Health, China, has informed WHO that wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been isolated from four young children, aged between four months and two years, with onset of paralysis between 3 and 27 July 2011.

    All four cases are from Hetian prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China.

    Genetic sequencing of the isolated viruses indicates they are genetically-related to viruses currently circulating in Pakistan.
    The last WPV case in China was reported in 1999, due to an importation from India. The last indigenous polio case occurred in China in 1994.

    A national team of clinicians, laboratory experts, epidemiologists and public health experts has been dispatched to the affected region, to assist in the investigation and planning of response activities, and this team will be joined by international support as required.

    National, Xinjiang autonomous region and local public health authorities are currently conducting an epidemiological investigation, including collection of stool specimens from contacts and evaluation of vaccine coverage.

    The Ministry of Health plans to conduct an initial response vaccination campaign in early September, targeting 3.8 million children aged under 15 years in the key affected outbreak area, and children aged under 5 years in other areas of Xinjiang.
    This website will be updated as more information becomes available.

    - ------

  • #2
    Re: Wild poliovirus confirmed in China (WHO, September 1 2011)

    20 September 2011

    Polio strain spreads to China from Pakistan


    Polio has spread to China for the first time since 1999 after being imported from Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.

    It said a strain of polio (WPV1) found in China was genetically linked with the type now circulating in Pakistan.

    At least seven cases have now been confirmed in China's western Xinjiang province, which borders Pakistan

    The WHO warned there was a high risk of the crippling virus spreading further during Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

    Polio (also called poliomyelitis) is highly infectious and affects the nervous system, sometimes resulting in paralysis.

    It is transmitted through contaminated food, drinking water and faeces.

    'Right things done'

    On Tuesday, the WHO said the polio cases in Xinjiang had been detected in the past two months.

    The Chinese authorities are now investigating the cases, and a mass vaccination campaign has been launched in the region.

    "So far all the right things are being done," WHO spokesman Oliver Rosenbauer told Reuters news agency.

    Read more - BBC News
    "Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights that must be our call to arms"
    Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

    ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

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    • #3
      Re: Wild poliovirus confirmed in China (WHO, September 1 2011)

      See also World Health Organization September 20 2011 statement on international wild poliovirus spread: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=173605

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