On October 24, World Polio Day is celebrated. This disease is also called infantile parasitism and has caused persistent problems in the world's population. In 1952, for example, an epidemic killed about 3,000 people and left another 21,000 with consequences in the United States.
But today, there are only two countries on the planet where the disease is endemic, that is, with a high concentration of cases: Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the World Health Organization, 23 cases of wild polio virus infection were discovered in Afghan territory and 39 cases in Pakistani territory this year.
Some African countries They also sometimes record positive diagnoses. WHO and its partners, such as Rotary International The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aims to eliminate polio by 2026.
The 99.9% reduction in cases was only possible thanks to global efforts that began in 1988, based on vaccination and other measures. The injectable vaccine and the famous “drop” helped save and protect millions of lives. In Brazil, a symbol contributed to the success of the vaccine, “Ze Gotinha,” created by artist Darlan Rosa for the 1986 campaign.
The bivalent oral polio vaccine (BPVV), the official name of the 'drop', has done its part and will be neglected in the country. The change, which has an implementation deadline of November 4, comes because new studies have shown greater safety in the exclusive use of the injectable inactivated polio vaccine (VIP).
How were children vaccinated? By age: 2 months (VIP)4 months (VIP)6 months (VIP)15 months (Enhanced VOPb) And 4 years (Enhanced VOPb). How will it be: 2 months (VIP), 4 months (VIP)6 months (VIP) And 15 months (VIP promotion). Parents and guardians should pay attention to the calendar.
Eradication of the disease in Brazil in danger?
Brazil has not identified cases of polio since 1989 and was certified eradicated in 1994. The risk of a resurgence has increased due to declining vaccination rates since 2016. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate has worsened as a result of social isolation and preventive measures. The spread of misinformation about vaccines.
Coverage improved from 2022 to 2023, according to Ministry of Health data, however, it is still far from the target of 95% for children up to 4 years of age (see chart below). The latest disease control report, released in September, revealed high or very high risks in 68% of 5,570 Brazilian municipalities. Another 24% are at average risk of developing the disease and only 8% are at low risk.
Summary from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) on what polio is: “It is an acute infectious disease, caused by a virus that lives in the intestine, called the polio virus. Although it occurs most frequently in children under the age of five, it can affect adults as well. The disease can cause everything from cold-like symptoms to serious nervous system problems, such as irreversible paralysis, especially in children. Polio is generally transmitted orally, through direct contact with contaminated feces, or through water and food contaminated with this feces.
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