Chapter 19, Problem 1CF

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason for continuation of polio as an emergency for global public health.

Introduction:

Polio has no cure it can be stopped by immunization. The two vaccines are available for polio; (IPV) inactivated polio vaccine that has killed viruses and (OPV) oral polio vaccine that is attenuated.

The OPV is suggested by WHO for the eradication of polio from the globe. The children must get two drops per dose for getting immunized. The proper method of control suggests four doses of vaccine but the doses can be extended if surrounding conditions are very unhygienic and proclaiming reemergence of poliovirus.

Explanation of Solution

The polio expected to be eradicated from entire countries by the year 2012 but 3 countries came up with polio cases in year 2013. These countries were Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. In addition, other countries also report certain cases of polio.

Earlier, these countries assumed to be polio free until new cases highlighted in the year 2013. The travelers advised to get booster vaccines before going out to the country or coming to country so that the virus cannot reach other countries. Children are not being immunized against polio because of various reasons. Some of them are geography, military and community issues, and unhygienic conditions.

Conclusion

The failure in complete vaccination “due to unhygienic conditions, difficulty in reaching remote area, and military and personal issues” against polio is causing re-emergence of polio; is a potential threat global public health.

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The difficulties in vaccinating children around the world and eradicating polio.

Introduction:

Polio has no cure, it can be stopped by immunization. The two vaccines are available for polio; (IPV) inactivated polio vaccine that has killed viruses and (OPV) oral polio vaccine that is attenuated.

The OPV is suggested by WHO for the eradication of polio from the globe. The children must get two drops per dose for getting immunized. The proper method of control suggests four doses of vaccine, but the doses can be extended if surrounding conditions are very unhygienic and proclaiming reemergence of poliovirus.

Explanation of Solution

The major issue related to reemergence of polio is complex geographical locations. It is difficult in providing vaccines in remote areas, such as mountainous countryside of countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. The needy children and affected people do not receive vaccines on time. Rarely, the vaccines are contributing to vaccine-associated paralytic polio.

The polio vaccines also not provided to countryside because of military and cultural reasons. The head of many communities denies vaccinating their children and increasing risk of getting their children infected and contributing to the reemergence of polio. The military heads do not allow the health care workers to cross-countryside such as Afghanistan and Pakistan in suspicion that they are agents.

The OPV contains live attenuated virus but some of viruses are able to revert and become virulent form that is causing a subset of vaccine related polio. In addition, polio has asymptomatic symptoms that help in silent transfer of virus in community and leads to outbreak.

Conclusion

These factors help to understand that the hundred percent of vaccination is necessary for global eradication of polio but due to difficulty in providing vaccines to all parts of the world, the polio is reemerging. In addition, due to military restrictions and cultural misnomers, the polio is re-emerging in certain countries.