Urgent warning as polio cases on the rise

Australian health authorities have put out an urgent warning after a rise in cases of polio around the world.

Health SA is urging people to vaccinate against the infectious disease, particularly parents with young children.

Brett Howard was just five years old when polio took hold of his body, destroying the muscles in his leg.

But he is one of the lucky ones.

“There were a lot with both legs or arms that weren’t working properly… kids died,” he said.

It is estimated there are 400,000 polio survivors in Australia living with long term effects.

Fresh polio outbreaks overseas have lead to health authorities here issuing an urgent warning to get immunised.

A total of 94 cases have been reported this year, mainly in Pakistan, while other hotspots include Nigeria and Afghanistan.

“We’re warning people that should they consider going to those countries, they definitely should get a booster shot,” Professor Paddy Phillips from SA Health said.

“One of our members actually says we are one aeroplane ride away from another outbreak.”

Vaccines are given at two, four and six months, followed by a booster at age four.

But the number of Australian children registered as vaccination objectors in the past decade has doubled in the past decade.

Only one per cent of those who contract polio will suffer lifelong effects, while the other 99 per cent are carriers who spread the disease.

Health experts said this is where the danger lies.

“It can be fatal, that is why this is such a serious illness ad it’s why we do take it seriously,” Prof Phillips said.