Two Additional Confirmed Polio Cases in Malaysia... Spread Also Trending in Pakistan

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Two additional confirmed cases of poliomyelitis (polio) have been reported in Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo, bringing the total to three cases.

According to Malaysian media including The Sun on the 11th, an 11-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy in Sabah were confirmed to have polio. They are not Malaysian nationals and reportedly had not received vaccinations since birth.

The health authorities stated, "Both tested positive for polio on the 9th," adding, "They are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, but their condition is stable."

Malaysia last reported polio cases in 1992 and declared polio eradication in 2000; however, on December 8th last year, a 3-month-old infant in Sabah was diagnosed with polio.

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect the nervous system and spinal cord. It can be prevented by vaccination, but no cure has yet been developed.

Malaysian health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations in Sabah and administering polio vaccinations, while strongly recommending that foreigners traveling to Malaysia, including Kota Kinabalu, get vaccinated before their visit.

The virus detected in the three polio patients in Malaysia was announced by health authorities to be genetically related to the polio virus that occurred in the Philippines.

Pakistan has also seen a spread of polio since last year. Last year, Pakistan confirmed at least 134 polio cases, the highest number in five years since 306 cases in 2014.

There were 54 cases in 2015, and fewer than 20 cases annually from 2016 to 2018, but the number surged last year. In early 2020, six people have already been confirmed with polio.

The United Nations is trying to vaccinate children under five years old in Pakistan against polio, but Islamic conservatives in the region distrust the vaccination, claiming it is intended to make children infertile.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated, "An urgent strategy is needed to prevent explosive spread of polio in Pakistan," and recommended, "The Pakistani government should declare a public health emergency and take all necessary measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.