Pakistan Institutes Polio Immunization Program to Halt Spread in Middle East and Africa

Pakistan is the world capital of polio, and it recently caused the spread of the disease to other countries nearby. As a result, the Pakistani government announced that an immunization program would be present at airports and border crossings.

The World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency in the wake of the recent polio cases in ten countries throughout the Middle East and Africa. Pakistan recorded its highest number of polio cases (93) in recent years in 2013, and that number is already up to 54 in 2014.

Travelers from Pakistan caused a recurrence of polio in Syria, which was free of the disease for fourteen years. The WHO reported that Pakistan poses the greatest risk of polio exportations, so it's only appropriate that their government enacts an immunization program for travelers.

"Special measures will include establishing mandatory immunisation counters on all airports, border crossings and seaports for all travellers," said Pakistani government spokesman Sajid Ali Shah in this BBC News article.

Thus far, polio-infected countries include Afghanistan, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Pakistan. All of those countries, with the exception of Iraq, participated in the WHO informational session of the Emergency Committee and expert advisors to the Committee meeting on April 28. The countries' representatives reported on recent developments in their countries regarding polio.

Yesterday, the WHO declared an international public health emergency for the spread of polio, and Pakistan will take proper measures to ensure the safety of others. Of the 74 cases reported worldwide in 2014, Pakistan has 54 of them. The WHO suggested that anyone departing from the countries where polio has spread internationally (Pakistan, Syria, and Cameroon) should carry proof of an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.

Today, the WHO recommended that residents of Pakistan as well as long-term visitors should get vaccinated at least four weeks before international travel. Pakistan is the first country to announce their travel immunization program, and although it might not be urgent in the other countries, they should consider doing the same to prevent the spread of this crippling disease.