UN: 2 polio cases in Mozambique caused by virus from vaccine

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:01 AM CST Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019

LONDON - Global health officials say they have identified two cases of polio in Mozambique caused by a mutated virus in the vaccine, marking another setback for attempts to eradicate the crippling disease.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/01/2019 (2763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LONDON – Global health officials say they have identified two cases of polio in Mozambique caused by a mutated virus in the vaccine, marking another setback for attempts to eradicate the crippling disease.

In a report this week, the World Health Organization and partners said they had confirmed two polio cases in a 6-year-old girl and one of her contacts. Officials said isolates tested found they were infected by a virus derived from the vaccine. In rare cases, the virus in the oral polio vaccine can mutate into a form capable of causing new outbreaks.

Officials have missed repeated deadlines to wipe out polio and are facing numerous challenges in the remaining countries where the disease circulates. Last year there were dozens of cases elsewhere in Africa including Nigeria, Congo and Somalia.