Extract

Indonesia's Polio Cases Rise to 39—WHO

15 May (Reuters Health)—Indonesia has reported 5 new polio infections, bringing to 39 the number of cases since the disease re-emerged in the country last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The outbreak is the first in Indonesia in a decade.

Indonesia inoculated 6.4 million children between May 31 and June 2 in a bid to stamp out the disease. A second round of immunization is planned for June 28–29, the statement said.

The agency has battled a series of setbacks to its global campaign since Nigeria's northern state of Kano banned immunization out of fear it could cause sterility or spread HIV/AIDS. Vaccination resumed after a 10-month ban.

Indonesia is one of a number of countries where polio has re-emerged after being imported from West Africa. Saudi Arabia and Yemen have also had outbreaks.

Indonesian health officials have said the virus may have been carried by a migrant worker or a Haj pilgrim who visited Saudi Arabia before returning to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

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