PUTRAJAYA: The polio virus which infected a three-month-old Malaysian boy from Tuaran, Sabah, is suspected to have been brought in from outside Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry had explored two possibilities –the virus came from the Philippines, or the family of the infant had travelled abroad.
He said preliminary checks showed that the family has no travel history.
“Hence, the logical conclusion is that the virus was brought in by someone outside of Sabah,” he told a press conference after opening the ministry’s Innovation Day 2019 celebration at the ministry today.
The infant was initially treated for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). Tests done at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Polio Regional Laboratory in Australia later confirmed that the boy was infected with the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (VDPV1).
The virus showed a genetic link to the polio virus found recently in the Philippines.
Dr Dzulkefly said the infant, who is now in the intensive care unit, began developing symptoms of polio before he received his second polio vaccination.
“He developed symptoms of polio after receiving the first dosage. The first dosage has about 30 to 40 per cent immunity against the virus.
“The boy was already ill when he received the second dosage which was supposed to have an immunisation rate of between 60 to 80 per cent,” he said.
Dr Dzuklefly also stressed that the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) was not the cause of the polio, or vaccine-derived poliovirus 1(VDPV1).
“The VDPV1 detected in the child is not the result of the IPV vaccine,” he said, adding that more than 80 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Malaysia, with no VDPV cases reported.
He said all previous poliomyelitis reported in Malaysia were due to wild poliovirus (WPV) infections, with the last reported case being in 1992.
He also advised all parties to not twist facts and to seek verified information from the ministry.
The minister also urged members of the public to cooperate with the ministry to ensure that the spread of the virus is curbed and for Malaysia to return to polio-free status.
Asked on the possibility of the virus spreading further, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry is intensifying prevention and control efforts.
“We can only wish that it doesn't spread. The ministry is on non-stop surveillance for any symptoms (similar to the virus).
“We have also increased our alertness and preparedness levels," he said.
Asked if the ministry plans to make vaccinations mandatory, the minister said the government is working to ensure that the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) is done nationwide.
"Currently the percentage of immunisation of children in the country stands at 95 per cent.
"We have spoken about making it compulsory but at the moment, we will look into reviewing and revisiting the programme.
"We will focus on outreach programmes to those residing in remote areas, such as the Orang Asli community as well as impoverished communities," he said.