Papua New Guinea has confirmed two cases of polio in children.
PNG was declared polio free in 2000. Subsequent outbreaks have been contained.
The UN children’s agency UNICEF said it would support the country’s government “to ensure every child is vaccinated following the detection of poliovirus.”
Polio
Polio is a highly infectious viral illness that can cause paralysis. It mainly affects children under five.
It can be transmitted person-to-person or via a contaminated object (e.g. food.)
There is no cure for polio, however a vaccine has been available since the 1950s.
There has been a drop in global polio immunisation coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
UNICEF said PNG’s vaccination rate is “among the lowest in the world, with only about 50% of children born each year receiving essential, life saving vaccines”.
According to the World Health Organisation, countries in the Western Pacific ocean were “certified polio free” in 2000.
However, the region has experienced outbreaks, such as in PNG in 2018.
Australia is polio-free, and has been since 2000.
Response
UNICEF PNG Representative Dr Veera Mendonca noted that “low immunisation coverage has left many children vulnerable.”
Mendonca said: “UNICEF is supporting the government to… prepare for two rounds of nationwide polio vaccination [and] encourage parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children.”
She added that “we must take this opportunity to boost routine immunisation to 90% and protect children long-term.”
