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The
appearance of poliomyelitis (polio) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
immediately prior to last month's annual hajj pilgrimage by
two-million Muslims to Islam's holy city has given rise to concern
among World Health Organization (WHO) officials that the disease
could now be spreading around the world, carried by pilgrims as
they return home.
Developing countries, where massive population overcrowding has led
to sporadic vaccination reach - such as Bangladesh and Indonesia -
are at greatest risk.
Despite the country having been declared polio-free in 1995, two
cases of the disease were diagnosed in Saudi Arabia towards the end
of last year.
Medical geographers attribute the rapid spread of polio in Africa
largely to the 2003 ban on immunization imposed by activists in the
northern Nigeria's Muslim Sahel region.
Muslims in Niger have also resisted vaccination. These developments
are said to have led to 12 previously polio-free west and central
African countries becoming reinfected with the virus, and the
derailment of the WHO-led initiative to eradicate polio by the end
of 2004.
“The prospect of a polio pandemic is alarming, but is clearly
also a potential reality,” said Dr Andrew Jamieson, medical
director: SAA-Netcare Travel Clinics.
“Anyone who completed their hajj in January this year, or who
has been in contact with such a pilgrim since their return to South
Africa, is at risk of contracting the disease and should seek
medical help should any symptoms appear. The healthcare community
is on high alert to ensure early detection of any cases introduced
to the country in this way and is equipped to treat patients
appropriately.”
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