Polio strain spreads to China from Pakistan

[nadinbrzezinski]

Polio has spread to China for the first time since 1999 after being imported from Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.

It said a strain of polio (WPV1) found in China was genetically linked with the type now circulating in Pakistan.

At least seven cases have now been confirmed in China's western Xinjiang province, which borders Pakistan.

The WHO warned there was a high risk of the crippling virus spreading further during Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14997307

[HuckleB]

1. :(

:(

[DonCoquixote]

2. If this infects people during the Haj

It may become the issue that dwarfs the rest. Just consider that the Haj (aka the pilgrimage) has people from EVERY NATION, from ALL WALKS OF LIFE! China could get blamed, and thereby, get defensive, and it sure does not help that they oppress their own Muslims.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Fortunately ... most people around the world

are vaccinated. The borderlands of Paki, as well as Afghanistan is one of the few area of the world where people refuse to vaccinate their kids on ... ideological and anti imperial grounds.

Yes, I wish I was kidding...

[DonCoquixote]

4. Do not be so sure

There are enough un-vaccinated, types to make problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. trust me on this

I know. But vaccination rates for polio are actually pretty good. The problem it is the places that the not. And with the anti-vaccination movement that will only go up.

[otohara]

6. Bill & Melinda Gates

get to Pakistan now!

[HuckleB]

7. +1

[Warren DeMontague]

8. Obviously another plot by big pharma to discredit the brave anti-vax Troofers.

:sarcasm:

[Selatius]

9. I guess I was wrong in assuming Polio had been eliminated like Small Pox was nt

[Horse with no Name]

10. It WAS on the list for eradication

wonder what happened?

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. It was very close but people in the border region

of Paki and in Afghanistan refuse to take it... on grounds it is a western plot.

It's a "known" issue for the WHO, and they got this close to actually pulling it off.

There are a couple other areas where vaccination leaves a lot to be desired, like Somalia, especially the Eastern region of the country.

And in very isolated rural areas of India.