There has been a recently confirmed report of an outbreak of polio in the southern African State of Namibia. The WHO (World Health Organization) on Tuesday 6 June 2006, confirmed that there is an outbreak of wild polio type 1 virus. The outbreak spread countrywide and is said to have killed approximately 7 people and paralyzed another 27 people.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Social Services has set 3 dates for a nation wide vaccination campaign and has called for each and every person in Namibia to receive the full 3 doses of vaccine during the campaign. A ministry official has confirmed the dates to be as follows: 21-23 June, 18-20 July, and 22-24 August.

For foreigners wanting to travel to Namibia during this time, make sure you get your vaccine before you leave or if you are in the country on the above dates, make sure to read the local newspapers and watch local television in order to be informed about the venues. The vaccinations will be administered for free.

Polio is a virus that invades the system and can cause total paralysis within a matter of hours. The symptoms of polio are fever, headache, fatigue, vomitting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the legs. The virus spreads through person-to-person contact and more so in areas where there are unhygienic conditions.