World Polio Day

Over twenty years ago polio existed in over 125 countries worldwide, infecting over 350 000 people globally and paralysing more than 1000 children every day. Today, thanks to the Global Polio Eradication initiative more than 2 billion children around the world have been immunised against this debilitating and life-threatening disease.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide you with some valuable information on World Polio Day.

World Polio Day is held on 24 October every year to acknowledge the terrible effects that the disease has had on the lives of millions of innocent people all over the world, as well as the incredible achievements that have been made in the battle against polio. 

Polio is an infectious viral disease caused by poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. It attacks the nervous system and usually leads to some sort of paralysis as well as chronic headaches, weakness and breathing disorders. Serious cases of infection can result in total paralysis within hours.

This virus is contracted through the mouth in unhygienic conditions and multiplies in the intestine. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) one in every 200 people with polio will become permanently paralysed within hours, usually in the legs. If any major organs such as the lungs become paralysed, death can occur.

Polio is infectious and can be prevented but not cured. This is why vaccination against poliovirus is so important in children. There are two vaccines available - an oral polio vaccine (OPV) and an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). OPV is a quick and reliable way of getting large numbers of people vaccinated and is therefore widely used in developing countries during outbreaks. In South Africa all children are immunised at birth, 6, 10 and 14 weeks, 18 months and 5 years.

A 2003 outbreak of type 1 poliovirus in Nigeria spread to a further twelve polio-free countries in West Africa and the Horn of Africa, and even as far as Indonesia and Yemen. In 2007, a total of 1 517 cases were reported in the twenty newly infected countries, setting back the goals of the initiative and costing the world over 500 million US dollars in international emergency outbreak funds.

Despite the Nigeria setback, only 559 cases of polio were reported worldwide in 2008, a more than 99% decrease from the 1988 figure of 350 000. However, as polio does still exist it is important that people are made aware about it. This is particularly the case for anyone who may be travelling to Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. Medical practitioners advise that if visiting any of these countries, the traveller should go for a polio vaccination booster, even if he or she was vaccinated as a child.

For any GEMS member queries please phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.
Sources:
The World Health Organisation - www.who.int