Most of us are familiar what polio is. Probably we have heard or know of someone who were affected by polio. For e.g., one of my relative was afflicted by polio and walks with a limp.
Here is an explanation on polio sourced from Global Polio Eradication Organisation:
# What is Polio?
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age, but affects mainly children under three (over 50% of all cases). The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Amongst those paralysed, 5%-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.
I brought this matter up because of a recent news released. All our babies are given the polio drop or jab immediately after birth. A check with my child’s vaccination schedule reveals that he has gotten 4 times of polio drop from birth till 6 months after birth. The schedule given by my paediatrician is – another dose to be given between 4 to 6 years old.
Therefore, I urge all parents to be aware of your child’s vacccination schedule. (a general guide available from MyMomsBest site)Keep a proper record and ensure that you follow it closely. Remember to keep a record because this record card will be needed when your child enter primary school at age 7 years.
Back to my concern, the New Scientist just recently released a disturbing news about
Indonesian polio epidemic poses ‘real risk’ to Asia
The ongoing and expanding polio epidemic in Indonesia poses a “real risk” of spreading the deadly disease to the rest of Asia, according to polio eradication experts.
If polio does spread to nearby countries such as China, Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines, it would be “way, way harder to control”
Note that this is current news. That means the situation is on-going.
To curb the epidemic, Indonesia is to vaccinate 24 million children over three days starting on 30 August. Two “mop-up” campaigns have already been held. The second one suffered a drop in coverage due to negative media publicity, but Aylward is optimistic that a drive to raise awareness of polio will improve take-up in the next round.
He believes the prospects for controlling the Indonesian outbreak are extremely good, but cautions: “The key is – is it out already?”
Hope parents are enlighten with this. I must say that we Malaysians are very, very lucky as the Government has taken very good care of us, health wise. Sadly, some more affluent parents are being too “knowledgeable” and opted NOT to give their child certain vaccinations recommended due to some unfounded fears. As always, listen to your doctors.