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WHO has been notified of a confirmed case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) in Laos. The case is an 8-year-old boy who lived in the district of Bolikhan, in Bolikhamxay Province, central Laos. This area of Laos has a long history of poor polio vaccine coverage; currently for 2015 coverage is 44%.
The boy had onset of paralysis on 7 September and sadly died on 11 September 2015. The last case of indigenous wild poliovirus in Laos was reported in 1993.
Comprehensive outbreak response activities are taking place in response to the outbreak. On 7 October 2015, a joint team of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Lao Office of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travelled to the province for further assessment.
(Via WHO Disease Outbreak News 12 October 2015 - accessed 12/10/15)
The vaccination recommendations for Laos have been amended, following the emergence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in the country.
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of polio vaccine according to the UK childhood schedule. It is recommended that travellers have a poliomyelitis booster (or course) if not already protected. Travellers should also take precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.
