Outbreak of Polio in Congo

¶ … outbreak of polio in Congo Recent Polio Outbreak in Congo Poliomyelitis (polio) is caused by a highly-contagious enterovirus called the Picorna virus, transmitted through contaminated feces, food, or water that is ingested (Berkow & al, 1997). Picorna virus is highly stable in fecal matter. Ironically, scientists believe that although the disease dates back at least 3000 years, in the earliest days when raw sewage was ubiquitous children developed a protective immunity and outbreaks were rare.

As for etiology, the virus enters through mucous membranes and lives in the throat and intestines of its human host; there is no animal reservoir. Sometime after infection, the virus spreads to the lymph nodes and blood. Eventually, in less than one percent of all cases, the virus penetrates the nervous system through capillary walls and paralyzes motor nerves.

(CDC, 2010) Vectors that may transmit the disease are mechanical -- insects that are not infected, yet may land on food with contaminated feet, etc., thereby contaminating the food and spreading the illness (CDC, 2010). While some partially immune adults may be carriers for the virus, the primary hosts are infected children under the age of five. No incidental hosts have been identified (CDC, 2010). As a result of widespread vaccination programs, polio has nearly been eradicated in most countries.

However, reservoirs of the disease still exist in four countries: Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and China. The Western Hemisphere was declared free of wild polio virus as of 1994. At one time, the World Health Organization had hopes of completely eradicating the disease by the turn of the 21st century. Recently, however, a significant outbreak in the African Congo has startled scientists.

(Berkow & al, 1997) Despite no recorded indigenous cases since 2000, the outbreak was confirmed on November 4, 2010 in the Republic of Congo; it's highly unusual in that a total of 324 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been reported there, with 146 recorded deaths so far (as of November 22). Normally polio occurs in young children, and rarely results in paralysis or death. In response, a massive polio vaccination campaign is underway, estimated to cost in excess of $23 million.

(PGEI, 2010) Most of the victims have been males between the ages of 15 and 29, when the disease is more life-threatening compared to childhood. The ages and gender of the susceptible suggest the cause may be insufficient or incomplete immunizations, especially since women and girls can develop some immunity as a result of being exposed to immunized infants. (UN, 2010) Although only five cases have been confirmed as polio so far, lab testing continues.

Of three known strains of polio, the particular strain causing this outbreak is thought to originate from India, where it spread to nearby Angola. Previous experience shows that very rapid vaccination efforts can quell the outbreak (in 2006 in Namibia one was controlled within three months), but they must be swift and include all neighboring districts. In addition, surveillance efforts must continue for a full year after the vaccination efforts are complete, in order to ensure eradication.

(PGEI, 2010) Scientists attribute this outbreak in Congo to more than just poorly managed vaccination campaigns. Some argue that as long as poverty, unclean water, flooding, poor hygiene, or poor sanitation -- and any pockets of the virus exist anywhere -- there will be new outbreaks from time to time in unexpected places. (Griffiths, 2010) Any other causes for the explosive outbreak have not yet been identified. it's interesting to note, however, that some scientists believe the HIV virus originated in the.