Poliomyelitis in Pakistan (Update)
06 Dec 2013
The ‘high season’ for polio transmission is seeing a dramatic expansion of polio in Pakistan. Six new poliomyelitis cases were reported in the past week. Five of the cases were reported from FATA and one from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The total number of cases for Pakistan in 2013 is now 70.
Over the past four months, 45 cases of wild poliovirus have been reported since August, with evidence of widespread geographic transmission across the country. By contrast, 25 cases had been reported for the period January to July.
The situation in Pakistan is increasingly worrying to the global eradication effort, especially in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) which remains the main transmission zone in Pakistan.
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.