The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has declared that Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Peru are at very high risk of reintroduction of poliomyelitis, as regional vaccination coverage for the disease is fell to its lowest level of around 79% on average, the lowest since 1994.

Let's recall that earlier this month, Kathy Hochul the Governor of New York, declared a health emergency in order to accelerate efforts to vaccinate residents against poliomyelitis after the virus was detected in sewage samples collected in four counties.

Cases have also been detected in London and Jerusalem.

Note that poliomyelitis can cause irreversible paralysis in some cases, but it can be prevented by a vaccine first made available in 1955. Although there is no known cure, three injections of the vaccine provide immunity from nearly 100%.

Poliomyelitis terrified parents around the world during the first half of the 20th century. Mainly affecting children under the age of five, it is often asymptomatic but can also cause symptoms such as fever and vomiting. About one in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis, and of these patients, up to 10% die.

IH/ iciHaiti