(SPECIAL REPORT) Polio Cases in Tajikistan Soar - WHO

(HN, July 23, 2010) - An ongoing outbreak of polio cases in the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan has soared to more than 400, with 19 children dead.

In its most recent report on the outbreak - the first of its kind in the World Health Organization's (WHO) European region in almost a decade - the UN organization says the numbers continue to rise despite several successful rounds of immunization. Tajikistan's Ministry of Health says that 430 cases of the wild poliovirus (WPV) type-1 virus have been reported since January 2010.

Initially the importation of the virus was believed to be from neighbouring Afghanistan but WHO says it originated in northern India. Both countries are polio endemic countries, along with Nigeria and Pakistan.

In response to the outbreak, four rounds of national immunization days (NIDs) with oral polio vaccine have been held in Tajikistan - with the most recent round was conducted on June 15-19.

WHO says that in addition to the Tajikistan cases, another seven have been reported in the Russian Federation.

In response to the outbreak, WHO says the risk for further international spread of the virus is "high."

"International travellers to and from polio affected areas should continue to be adequately immunized against polio," says WHO. "The gravity of the situation requires that all Member States reinforce their polio surveillance so that any spread will be detected rapidly and effective control measures instituted at the earliest possible moment."

Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in the former Soviet Union. While routine immunization rates are high, remote mountain regions and porous borders create challenges for health workers.

“Vaccination teams must pay special attention to vulnerable groups of children who often miss routine immunization – children living in remote, isolated and under-served communities across the country,” said UNICEF Tajikistan Chief of Health and Nutrition Ayadil Saparbeko.

- Reporting by HUMNEWS' Michael Bociurkiw.