2nd Wild Polio Type One Case Confirmed in Pakistan

This week, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported that Pakistani officials confirmed one new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case, its second case in 2022.

The additional Pakistan case of WPV1 was reported in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where polio is endemic.

Two types of wild poliovirus have been eradicated (WPV2 and WPV3), with ongoing global efforts to eliminate WPV1.

'While the window of opportunity to end polio is currently open, we must take immediate action before it closes – perhaps for good,' stated GPEI.

There are different poliovirus vaccines, which may contain one, a combination of two, or all three different serotypes in one polio vaccine. 

Since 2000, an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) has been most often given in the USA.

The IVP produces antibodies in the blood to all three poliovirus types, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC updated the pediatric and adult polio vaccination schedules on Feb. 17, 2022.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis and/or death in approximately 2-10% of paralyzed cases).

The virus is transmitted by person-to-person, mainly through the fecal-oral route.

Previously, the CDC issued an Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions, regarding polio risks in Asia and eastern Europe, which included Pakistan.

Additional polio vaccination news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.com/Polio.

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