Mozambique’s Ministry of Health has declared a health emergency in the country after confirming that a child in the northern province of Tete had contracted wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).
The identification of this case resulted from active surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis during the mass polio vaccination campaign that began in late March. This is the first case of WPV1 in the country for nearly 30 years, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Wednesday evening.
“We recommend that all parents and caregivers of children under five years of age have their children vaccinated during the next two vaccination cycles, which will take place shortly on dates to be announced in due course,” reads the document.
MISAU encourages the general public to continue to adhere to routine vaccination activities, as well as to observe good personal and collective hygiene practices.
Polio is highly infectious and primarily affects children under five. There is no cure for polio, which can only be prevented by vaccination.