Fear of polio virus: India, Georgia place curbs on Pakistanis

The Express Tribune,

India and Georgia have made it compulsory for Pakistani travellers to get anti-polio vaccine prior to entering their territory, reveals a letter of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination.

The letter titled ‘International Certification of Vaccination for Prophylaxis’ was written to Health Department. It explains what measures the department has to take to issue the polio vaccination certificates to the travellers, who plan to visit these two countries.

“This is in continuation of this ministry letter dated 24 Feb, 2014 on the above noted subject regarding compulsory polio vaccination of travellers going from Pakistan to India and Georgia,” the letter says.

It says that the directorate of Central Health Establishment (CHE) has already been directed to coordinate with the provincial health departments, executive district officers (EDOs), district health officers (DHOs), and complete the requisite formalities on top priority.

The letter says the port health officer under the directorate of the CHE as well as designated public sector tertiary care hospital in all provincial headquarters are authorised to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and issue vaccination certificate to the travellers.

Requesting anonymity, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official said that currently two countries had imposed travel restrictions on Pakistan but several others might also follow suit. “The Independent Monitoring Board for Polio Eradication and the WHO Executive Board will have their meeting around May 20, 2014. Considering putting curbs on countries where polio exists is on the agenda,” he said.

The official said two countries had made it mandatory on travellers of all ages to get polio vaccination certificate six weeks prior to their visit. “If other countries do the same then Pakistan may have to face problems and arrange vaccination for a large number of travellers,” he maintained.

He said Pakistan had the worst record of polio eradication in the world. In 2013, 11 cases of polio were reported in Afghanistan compared to 30 in 2012. However, In Pakistan, 58 cases were reported in 2012 and 85 in 2013 – a 40% increase. He said 47 cases of polio had been reported in Pakistan during this year, he said.

“The virus from Pakistan has reached Syria and even Palestine. If we calculate the number of polio cases since last May, above 70 polio cases are reported just in North Waziristan where total population is around 700,000. We have to eradicate polio to avoid the restrictions,” he added.

An official of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation said they had received the letter from the ministry and the relevant EDOs, medical superintendents were asked to follow the guidelines for issuing the polio immunisation certificate.