Poliomyelitis Why do vaccinations continue to be so important?

Comes back the almost defeated disease?

Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, polio and Heine-Medin disease, is a household name to most people, especially when it comes to child vaccinations. But the underlying disease is already forgotten. After all, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there were no registered cases of polio in Germany since 1992. Why is a vaccine against poliomyelitis still practiced when this disease no longer occurs in Germany?

At the World Polio Day 2017, which will take place on October 28, 2017, physicians and experts will discuss the forgotten oblivion and the remaining risk of return. Because even if massive successes in polio control were achieved, the disease is not yet defeated.

Even though no cases of polio have been reported in Germany since 1992, there is a risk of the viruses being imported from abroad. (Image: jarun011 / fotolia.com)

Targets for polio control were not achieved

Despite the strong decline of poliomyelitis in Germany, the introduction of viruses from abroad can not be ruled out, as in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria in 2016 polio diseases were still registered by wild polioviruses. If these viruses reach Germany, new outbreaks of the disease can occur. According to the RKI, the polio vaccination quota for school beginners set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is not fulfilled in Germany. Instead of the required 95 percent, only 94.5 percent were achieved. This result is considered unsatisfactory.

Merkel calls for vaccination

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel also addresses infectious diseases in her weekly video podcast and calls for vaccinations. Among other things, it addresses the disease measles, in which there are again rising numbers in Germany and can protect against vaccination. However, she refuses a general duty to vaccinate.

Polio - what is that?

Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease that can be caused by polioviruses. Children are considered particularly at risk in this disease. Polio can cause permanent damage in the form of paralysis, which often affects the extremities. In some cases, it can also lead to a paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The infestation leads to death without mechanical ventilation. The virus is transmitted via lubricants, such as urine or stool, but also a droplet infection is possible. Man is the only known host for the polioviruses.

Polio worldwide

As late as 1988, polio was considered a major threat, with more than 1,000 new cases in children every day. The WHO and its partners launched the Global Polio Adadaptation Initiative (GPEI) this year to combat the disease. Together with 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, and supported by investments of more than $ 11 billion, 2.5 billion children have since been immunized against polio. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are the only countries that have failed to stop polio circulation. According to the RKI, 37 wild-virus polio cases were reported worldwide in 2016, including 20 in Pakistan, 13 in Afghanistan and 4 in Nigeria. (Fp)