In a meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of World Health Organization (WHO), concerning the international spread of wild poliovirus, it was announced that Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon are three countries currently exporting wild poliovirus.
WHO recommended that states exporting poliovirus (including Pakistan) should immediately take following steps:
1. Officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that the interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency.
2. Ensure that all residents and long-term visitors (i.e. > 4 weeks) receive a dose of OPV or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between 4 weeks and 12 months prior to international travel
3. Ensure that those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within 4 weeks), who have not received a dose of OPV or IPV in the previous 4 weeks to 12 months, receive a dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will still provide benefit, particularly for frequent travellers
4. Ensure that such travellers are provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the form specified in Annex 6 of the International Health Regulations (2005) to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of vaccination.
5. Maintain these measures until the following criteria have been met: (i) at least 6 months have passed without new exportations and (ii) there is documentation of full application of high quality eradication activities in all infected and high risk areas; in the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until at least 12 months have passed without new exportations.
Once a State has met the criteria to be assessed as no longer exporting wild poliovirus, it should continue to be considered as an infected State until such time as it has met the criteria to be removed from that category.
This directive from the WHO will bring a money minting opportunity to the extortionists back home. Government is going to set up special hospitals and clinics that will administer the poliovirus vaccine. Artificial shortage will be created so that the vaccines will be imported at exorbitant prices. We in Pakistan know very well how to turn a disaster in a thriving business.
Also published at Chowrangi.pk