Polio News and Research

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Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age. Naturally occurring polio was eliminated in the U.S. in 1979 and in the Western Hemisphere by 1991; however, worldwide efforts are continuing towards eradication of this contagious and devastating disease.

Global under-five death rate far below targets agreed to by world leaders

New country-by-country data reveals alarmingly slow progress on reducing child deaths despite the availability of proven, low-cost interventions, a UNICEF survey revealed today.

8 Oct 2004

Study presents multiple lines of evidence against the proposed link between SV40 and human mesotheliomas

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the chest cavity that kills about 2000 people a year in the United States.

26 Sep 2004

Edible vaccine for HIV AIDS

Scientists from Novosibirsk are engaged in the development of an unusual vaccine which, apart from being less expensive to produce, safe and painless to administer, is also edible.

22 Sep 2004

Experts discuss antibiotic resistance, tuberculosis, malaria, vaccines, maternal mortality, childhood diseases and health sector reform

New challenges ahead and the unfinished agenda in public health in the Americas" will be the focus of joint efforts by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

14 Sep 2004

Exposure to simian virus 40 (SV40) is not associated with cancer in humans

Two upcoming studies by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), provide further evidence that exposure to simian virus 40 (SV40) is not associated with cancer in humans.

23 Aug 2004

Five-in-one vaccine is an important step forward in the UK's vaccination programme

The new five-in-one vaccine is an important step forward in the United Kingdom's vaccination programme, say child health experts in this week's BMJ.

20 Aug 2004

Changes to the UK's childhood vaccination programme

From the end of September these vaccines will be given in the routine vaccination schedule in a combined vaccine along with Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Hib.

9 Aug 2004

The British government has announced plans for a new combined vaccination for babies and children

The British government has announced plans for a new combined vaccination for babies and children. A single jab will protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio.

9 Aug 2004

America's childhood immunization rates are at record high levels

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the nation's childhood immunization rates are at record high levels, including significant increases in rates of immunization for chickenpox and pneumococcal pneumonia, the two most recent additions to the childhood immunization schedule.

2 Aug 2004

Vaccination Week reached 40 Million in 35 countries

An estimated 40 million children and adults throughout the Western Hemisphere received vaccines during the first regionwide Vaccination Week in the Americas, held April 24-30 in 35 countries of the Americas.

21 Jul 2004

To date, the U.S. Government has provided a total of $109.4 million of humanitarian assistance to Darfur

As part of the U.S. Government's continuing humanitarian efforts in Sudan's western province of Darfur, eight airlifts will arrive in El Fasher between July 5 and July 14. These shipments will carry 3,150 rolls of plastic sheeting, which is enough shelter for 198,450 beneficiaries.

13 Jul 2004

More than 20 percent of preschool children lack required immunizations

More than 20 percent of preschool children lack required immunizations, placing them and their classmates at risk for illness, according to a new study based on the federal National Immunization Survey.

12 Jul 2004

Research could help disarm deadly retroviruses such as HIV or SARS

Taken to its ultimate outcome, the research that biology professor Dr. Steve Howard is working on could help disarm deadly retroviruses such as HIV or SARS.

7 Jul 2004

The impact of rotavirus on the world’s children

With vaccines against the killer disease of rotavirus almost in hand, government representatives, scientists, public health professionals and vaccine industry representatives will be convened in Mexico City to review progress toward safe, effective rotavirus vaccines and address the question of how to make sure they get to the world’s poorest children

7 Jul 2004

Reports of a serious polio outbreak among children in Rogo, Nigeria

Reports of a serious polio outbreak among children in Rogo, Kano State, have emerged. Kano is Nigeria's most populous northern state.

2 Jul 2004

Nigeria resuming polio immunization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been informed by the Governor of Kano, Nigeria, of the intention to resume polio immunization campaigns there in early July.

30 Jun 2004

West and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years

Epidemiologists of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative today issued a stark warning that west and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years.

23 Jun 2004

G8 commitment to eradicate polio welcomed

The spearheading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative - the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF - welcome the determination, support and actions of the G8 leaders in their committed efforts to eradicate polio.

11 Jun 2004

America's first two WNV encephalitis cases of 2004 respond to treatment

GenoMed, Inc. has announced that the country's second case of West Nile virus encephalitis has responded promptly to its treatment approach. So far, GenoMed's treatment is showing a 100% response rate among 13 immunocompetent patients. The sooner the treatment is instituted, the more rapid and more complete the response.

10 Jun 2004

150 top scientists debate and offer expert advice on cutting edge vaccine research

More than 150 top scientists, researchers and public health experts from around the world will meet in Switzerland next week to present, debate and offer expert advice on cutting edge vaccine research and development, as well as vaccine policy and implementation.

3 Jun 2004