Sunday, November 6, 2011

Polio Outbreak in Angola

Angola (a country on the western coast of South Africa) recently declared a state of emergency after one 14-month-old boy tested positive for the polio virus. The case is thought to be linked to a series of 9 outbreaks in the past year that took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The state of emergency was declared in an effort to rapidly control the disease, and prevent an Angolan polio outbreak similar to last year's - 33 cases in one year. (This year thus far, there have only been 4.)

Even one case of polio can spread the virus to any unvaccinated individual in the area (particularly the young). It is primarily spread through contaminated food and water. Once the virus is consumed, it multiplies in the intestine, whereafter it can spread to the nervous system (causing the debilitating effects we see among polio patients).

This past year, there was a country-wide effort in Angola to immunize all children under 5, a likely cause for the incredible decrease in polio cases since last year. The vaccine is orally administered in 3-4 doses within a given year - usually an infant's 1st year.

I find this to be a somewhat motivating article. Despite the potential for a further polio outbreak, this is a case where public authorities made the right decision in declaring a state of emergency potentially preliminarily. Angola seems to be making the right choices regarding mass-immmunization (bringing back to mind the precept that the entire population has to be vaccinated to prevent disease...). If only we could get our own politicans to be so open-minded about vaccination! (uurrrrgh HPV vaccination!!!)

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15593958

-Elena Higuchi

1 comment:

David said...

I was thinking that Illuminati is not real, But today with Mr david I now believe that Illuminati is real, when you come across wrong person’s you will think that life is not real but when you are with the real one you will experience the goodness of your life, To MR David has made me discovered my purpose of life. Welcome to the great brotherhood of Illuminati 666: WhatsApp Mr David +234-811-338-8018 Russia , and every other Country’s on how to join the Illuminati brotherhood to get rich and famous, You may be a politician, business man/woman ,musical artist, student, footballer or whatever occupation you do, you want to be rich, powerful and famous in life. Illuminati can grant all your heart desires join the Illuminati to become rich and famous in life, Illuminati will make you achieve your dream to become rich and protect you all the days of your life  join the great illuminati brotherhood via email: lorddavid2345@gmail.com