Polio virus - travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan

waleedhbk · May 6, 2014, 3:05pm

Re: Polio virus - travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan

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Travelers to Punjab to show polio vaccination certificates

LAHORE: People traveling to Punjab from other provinces of Pakistan will now have to present polio vaccination certificates.

Health Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique told DawnNews on Tuesday that, after polio cases recently surfaced in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there was a risk of the crippling virus traveling into Punjab.

Rafique said that polio vaccination counters would be set up at all airports in Punjab within the next two days. He said that those who refuse to be administered polio drops will not be allowed to enter the province without showing polio vaccination certificates.

Polio vaccination teams aided by the police will be posted at 41 entry points from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab and all entrances from Sindh at the border in Rahim Yar Khan.

All children entering the province will be administered polio drops if they do not show vaccination certificates.

The Punjab government’s decision comes a day after the World Health Organisation imposed strict travel restrictions on Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon, warning that the crippling disease has re-emerged as a public health emergency.

The virus currently affects 10 countries worldwide and is endemic in three countries including Pakistan.

Earlier today, the federal health ministry announced that it was setting up mandatory polio immunisation points at all international airports in the country in response to the WHO’s recommendations.

“Special measures will include establishing mandatory immunisation counters on all airports, border crossings and seaports for all travellers,” said ministry spokesman Sajid Ali Shah.

Source

Almost always we need some kind of humiliation to do something. The WHO had to finally arrive at the conclusion that Pakistan would not get serious unless an extreme step is taken. And guess what, they got it absolutely right.

Ladies and gentlement, Roshan Pakistan