Papua New Guinea: Third polio case confirmed early August /update 1

Officials confirm third polio case on August 3; outbreak active in Enga and Morobe provinces
Read all related news alert(s):
Papua New Guinea: 12 polio case confirmed as of mid-September /update 3
Papua New Guinea: Nine polio case confirmed as of early September /update 2
Papua New Guinea: Polio virus resurfaces in Morobe province
Papua New Guinea: 26 polio cases confirmed as of early March /update 4
Event
A third case of polio was officially confirmed on August 3 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Papua New Guinea health officials. The new case, in Mulitaka (Enga Province), is genetically linked to the two previously confirmed cases in Lae (Morobe province). The first case in the outbreak was reported on April 28 in Morobe province and officially confirmed on June 26, while the second case was confirmed in July. The third affected individual, a three-year-old boy, began to exhibit symptoms on June 30, and suffered the onset of paralysis on July 2. No other regions are currently being impacted by the virus. To combat further spread of the disease and bolster immunization efforts, over 600,000 vaccines have been distributed in Papua New Guinea since July 16.
Context
Prior to this most recent outbreak, Papua New Guinea had maintained a polio-free status since 2000. According to local authorities the polio vaccination rate in Morobe province is particularly low.
Poliomyelitis is an acute communicable disease caused by a human enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family. Poliovirus is transmitted from one person to another by oral contact with secretions or fecal material from an infected person. Most poliovirus infections cause asymptomatic viral replication that is limited to the alimentary tract. However, following an incubation period of approximately 7-10 days (although it can range 4-35 days), about 24 percent of those infected develop clinical signs such as fever, headache, and sore throat (considered a minor illness).
Advice
Individuals in Papua New Guinea are advised to verify their vaccination status and monitor developments to the situation.
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