Malaysia has started 168 campaigning for polio vaccination in a rural town on Borneo after it was confirmed that a 3-month-old baby boy became the country's first polio in 27 years.
Health director Noor Husham Abdullah said the baby from the town of Tuaran in Sabah state was diagnosed with polio on Friday after being hospitalized with a high fever. And muscle weakness Even if a ventilator is needed But the little boy's condition remained stable.
Malaysia is the second country in Asia to report polio cases. After the outbreak of this disease in the Philippines in September. The World Health Organization explains that polio, most of which has been eradicated. It is still a common local disease in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Mr Noor Hisham said examinations showed the infected babies were genetically linked to the polio virus detected in the Philippines. Malaysia's last polio patient was detected in 1957. The country was polio-free in 1992 and Malaysia declared a polio-free country. 2000
The health ministry points out that the polio virus originates from a weak virus contained in the oral polio vaccine that is excreted from the body through feces. It is believed to be spread in an unclean environment to those who have not received the vaccine.
The Director-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Public Health further stated that there must be a push on the issue of vaccination. It was found that the infant village had 23 children between the ages of 2 months and 15 years of 199 children who were not vaccinated against polio.
Health officials also encourage surveillance to detect people showing muscular paralysis, a symptom of polio. Which at this time has not been detected at all And it is known that there is no method yet. Used to treat polio Therefore, this disease can only be prevented with vaccines.
However, to ensure polio virus does not infect unvaccinated people in Malaysia. The Ministry of Public Health will vaccinate against this disease. In areas where polio cases are reported, as well as in other areas At risk as well
