Pakistan polio outbreak spreads to China

The World Health Organization (WHO) is announcing nine cases of polio have been discovered and confirmed in China. This is the first outbreak in China since 1999.

BEIJING, CHINA (Catholic Online) - Chinese officials believe the virus has come from Pakistan. Currently, Pakistan is suffering a widespread outbreak of the disease. 

As of mid-September, Pakistani officials were reporting 84 cases of the disease, sharply up from 2010 when there were 48 cases. Pakistani officials have implemented a vaccination program, but that program has not been able to keep up with the spread of the disease. 

To address the spreading problem, Pakistan has implemented what it calls a, "National Polio Action Plan" that will provide staggered immunizations and other actions designed to stop the disease in 54 districts of the country.

Meanwhile countries throughout Asia and Eastern Europe have been warned to be on high alert, keeping watch for the virus and ensuring that vaccinations are current. Additionally, anyone traveling to or from Pakistan should make sure their vaccinations are current.

In China, WHO officials are warning that the risk of polio spreading is, "high." Exacerbating the risk is the upcoming Haj, an Islamic pilgrimage that takes place every year. During that time, thousands of Chinese Muslims pass through Pakistan on their way to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. That pilgrimage is set to start in November. 

Polio is a virus that is spread by personal contact with the infected. It settles in the nerves and can cause partial or full paralysis. Most of the infections do not result in symptoms, but in about 5 percent of infections, serious problems can result. Regardless if the victims shows symptoms or not, they can still spread the disease to others. 

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