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Lankans advised to take drops when going to polio affected states
Sri Lankans travelling to poliovirus (polio) affected states have been requested to take immunisation drops before departure, Dr.T.S.R.Peiris, Assistant Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit told the Sunday Times. He said travellers entering Sri Lanka from affected states too have been asked to do the same.
The request came after the World Health Organisation this week declared that all countries should take necessary precautions to avoid an international spread of poliovirus. Sri Lanka however remains Polio free since 1993. Dr. Peiris said the possibility of Sri Lankan children being infected is remote as the country has a strong immunisation progamme which has almost 100 per cent coverage in the country.
Among the nine countries affected Pakistan has recorded the highest percentage increase of the spread of the disease in 2014 the WHO stated. Sri Lanka has seen an increase of incoming Pakistani nationals to the country since last year. Other nations affected include Afghanistan, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Israel, Nigeria, Somalia and the Syrian Arab Republic.