International Notes
Poliomyelitis Update -- Jamaica
Since the first suspected case of paralytic poliomyelitis was
recognized in Jamaica in late March 1982, a total of 56 suspected
cases have been reported (Figure 2). Onset of symptoms in the last
suspected case occurred on June 28, 1982. No additional cases have
been reported since June 16, 1982, from St. James Parish, where the
earliest and largest number of cases (44) occurred.
The second round of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) immunizations
for persons 6 weeks through 14 years of age, the group in which 88%
of
the disease occurred, is presently under way. A third immunization
round in schools and clinics is scheduled for September 1982.
Reported by Ministry of Health, Jamaica; Div of Viral Diseases,
Center
for Infectious Diseases, Immunization Div, Quarantine Div, Center
for
Prevention Svcs, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: While active surveillance of poliomyelitis
continues
in Jamaica, no cases have been reported with onset dates more than
24
days after the initiation of the vaccination campaign in a given
parish, and no new suspected cases of paralytic poliomyelitis have
been reported during the past 5 weeks. Jamaica's Ministry of
Health
announced on July 29 that the outbreak of poliomyelitis was over.
The first poliomyelitis vaccine campaign delivered one dose of
OPV
per person to more than 80% of the population, ages 6 weeks through
14
years, between June 1 and June 21, 1982 (1). The high coverage
reached during this brief period appears to have terminated the
outbreak of type 1 poliomyelitis in Jamaica.
Travelers to any country in which vaccine-preventable diseases
are
or recently have been endemic or epidemic should be adequately
protected. Recommendations for immunizations have been published
in
the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2-5).
ACIP. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis: guidelines for
vaccine
prophylaxis and other preventive measures. MMWR 1981;30:392-6,
401-7.
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