El Salvador: Possible polio case detected in Cabañas

Event

A suspected case of polio has been detected in the canton of Los Llanitos (Ilobasco municipality; Cabañas department). The patient was first hospitalized on June 28. If confirmed, it would be the first case reported in El Salvador since 1987. Clinical confirmation one way or the other could take several weeks.

Context

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can result in paralysis. The virus is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route and primarily affects children under the age of five. Around 0.5 percent of all infections result in permanent paralysis, with 5-10 percent of all paralysis cases resulting in death.

Advice

Individuals in El Salvador are advised to verify their vaccination status and keep abreast of the situation.