Press Release
Health advice on poliomyelitis to travellers
23 July, 2004
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 23) reminded travellers to Africa to be vigilant against poliomyelitis (Polio), following report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that more than 200 cases of this kind occurred in Nigeria this year.
According to WHO, the figures from Nigeria represents about three quarters of the world total of children paralysed by poliomyelitis this year.
A CHP spokesman said 10 nearby African countries which were previously polio-free had also recorded a number of imported cases since the outbreak in Nigeria. The CHP is monitoring the situation.
Polio is a statutorily notifiable disease in Hong Kong. Vaccination against the disease has been introduced in Hong Kong since 1963 and is included in the childhood immunization programme in Hong Kong. The coverage rate of the vaccination in local children is more than 99%. The last case of wild polio in Hong Kong was in 1983. The Western Pacific Region has been certified Polio free since 2000.
"It is an acute viral infection caused by poliovirus and most often affects young children. It can cause acute onset of fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, severe muscle pain, stiffness in the neck and back, and paralysis. In severe cases, it can lead to meningitis and death," the spokesman said.
The virus enters human body through oral route and eventually invades the central nervous system. It is spread primarily from person-to-person, principally through the faecal-oral route.
Hong Kong has a highly sensitive surveillance system to detect, report and investigate all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Medical practitioners are reminded to inform CHP of any cases of AFP.
The spokesman reminded travellers going to Nigeria and its neighbouring countries to ensure their polio vaccination are up-to-date.
Travellers may contact their family doctors or DH's Travellers' Health Centres at 2961 8840 or 2150 7235 during office hours for advice and polio vaccination.
They should also take the following steps to prevent infection:
- Maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene
- Wash hands properly before eating or preparing food
- Cook food thoroughly
- Flush toilet after use and wash hands properly
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling children's napkins or soiled articles
"People who have recently travelled to Africa and develop poliomyelitis-like illness should seek medical consultation promptly," the spokesman said.