2023-10-22 15:00:11
Title: Polio Outbreak Contained in New York, But Global Eradication Efforts Continue
Date: October 24, 2023
A year after polio viruses were detected in the state of New York, health authorities have reported that the outbreak has been largely contained. The detection of isolated pathogens in the state’s wastewater earlier this year has ceased, leading to the expiration of the disaster declaration by Governor Kathy Hochul in December.
However, the recent developments in the United States do not signify a global all-clear. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have been working towards eradicating polio for 35 years, yet the disease, also known as poliomyelitis, still persists in some parts of the world.
According to the Robert Koch Institute’s Epidemiological Bulletin, there has been an increase in recorded wild poliovirus (WPV) infections in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2022. Additionally, infections caused by vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) have become a significant concern in recent years.
The bulletin reveals that in 2022, there were 880 recorded cVDPV cases worldwide, with an additional 305 cases in 2023. These infections primarily occur in areas with low vaccination rates, where a large portion of the population remains unvaccinated. The RKI explains that the weakened viruses in oral vaccinations can circulate undetected, undergo changes, and eventually cause acute flaccid paralysis.
The interruption of routine vaccinations due to the pandemic has further exacerbated the problem. African countries, in particular, have high rates of cVDPV infections due to low vaccination coverage. Last year, cases were also reported in Israel and Great Britain. While Africa, Asia, and Israel continue to use oral vaccines, countries like the USA, Great Britain, and Germany have switched to inactivated vaccines that do not contain viable viruses.
In the United States, polio was considered eradicated after a decade without any reported cases. However, in the summer of 2022, a young man north of New York City contracted the virus, leaving him partially paralyzed. Subsequently, polio pathogens were repeatedly detected in the wastewater of several communities in the state.
Polio, often transmitted through contaminated hands or water, can lead to paralysis and death, particularly in young children who are more vulnerable. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.
Vaccinations have played a crucial role in combating polio. Before the introduction of vaccinations, thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths occurred annually in Germany alone. Since the initiation of global vaccination campaigns in 1988, the WHO estimates that around 20 million people have been saved from paralysis, and 1.5 million lives have been spared.
However, vaccination rates remain insufficient in many parts of the world. In Germany, babies as young as two months are vaccinated, resulting in an average national vaccination rate of approximately 90 percent.
The WHO has designated October 24th as World Polio Day, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease globally. While progress has been made, further investment in vaccinations and public health initiatives is required to achieve the ultimate goal of a polio-free world.]
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