11 October 2006
Mafikeng: North West Health has embarked on a massive polio immunisation
week to educate the community about the serious effects of Polio on infants
aged zero to five years, if they are not immunised. This campaign goes with the
theme, "Make a difference, immunise your child."
Polio is an acute viral infection that may damage certain nerve cells. It
presents weakness or paralysis of limbs resulting in disability or even death.
It is caused by wild poliovirus, which may be found in stools (faeces) of the
infected person. It can also be transmitted through droplet infection; a child
who is infected with wild poliovirus coughs or breathes out the poliovirus,
which then spread and infects children who have no immunity/ protection against
this virus. Children who are not vaccinated or not fully immunised are at
risk.
Non-immunised children at five years and less are most vulnerable although
Polio affects children up to 15 years of age. Symptoms are as follows:
1. headache
2. neck and back stiffness
3. deep muscle pains with developing weaknesses of certain muscles e.g.
limbs
4. always be on alert with the state of a child's limb or limbs (zero to
fifteen years olds) any sudden weakness/ floppiness or paralysis, which is not
caused by injury, must be reported immediately at the nearest clinic.
All children must be vaccinated or immunised with polio drops on their
appointment dates as required in their immunisation cards.
"We urge our public to respond positively to visit our clinics and
identified spots that provide these services. The department has started
immunising children from 8 to 14 October 2006. The public must know that there
will be no second chances; previously we used to take two weeks and this year
immunisation will only be done during this week. No child must suffer
disability due to failure to immunise. Prevent Polio. Immunise your child. Make
sure that your child receives this polio drops as required in the immunisation
card," concluded MEC Nomonde Rasmeni.
Enquiries:
Zakes Molala
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Fax: (018) 3875830
E-mail: lmolala@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
11 October 2006
Source: North West Department of Health ((http://www.nwhealth.gov.za)
