Southwestern Tajikistan is registering the first cases of clinically confirmed polio since 1997 and the first cases in the European/Central Asian region since the area was declared polio-free in 2002.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 120 cases of acute flaccid paralysis in Tajikistan, seven of which were confirmed to be caused by poliovirus type 1. Ten children have died.
Initial reporting suggests that over 45 percent of the children stricken by the paralysis had polio vaccines, said the WHO in a statement.
WHO is communicating with countries in the Region about the outbreak. It is important that neighboring countries strengthen surveillance for cases of acute flaccid paralysis, in order to rapidly detect any new poliovirus importations and facilitate a rapid response. Countries should also analyze routine immunization coverage data to identify any sub-national gaps in population immunity to guide catch-up immunization activities and thereby minimize the consequences of any new virus introduction.
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WHO does not recommend the imposition of restrictions to the international movement of persons as a control measure at this time.
Polio is considered endemic in Afghanistan, Tajikistan's southern neighbor.
David Trilling is Eurasianet’s managing editor.
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