First case of polio in Laos since 1993 comes from polio vaccine

A case of polio has been detected in a child from the district of Bolikhan, in Bolikhamxay Province. The infecting strain is derived from the polio vaccine strain. Clinical infections with the vaccine strain can occur when the general level of polio vaccination in the population falls to low levels due to failure to maintain high levels of vaccination in children. In this district only 44 percent of the children have been vaccinated.

Conseils

While the risk for the general traveller is low, any risk of exposure to polio virus can be minimized by ensuring that childhood vaccinations, including polio, are up-to-date prior to travelling.