Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT148
2006-02-06 11:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN CALLS FOR IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL POLIO

Tags:  TBIO PREL SA MU ESTH 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000148 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/IHA, NEA/ARPI
STATE PASS TO CDC (JGERBERDING) AND NIH (EZERHOUNIAND)
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (JWHITTLESEY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PREL SA MU ESTH
SUBJECT: OMAN CALLS FOR IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL POLIO
IMMUNIZATIONS

REF: 05 MUSCAT 864

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000148

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/IHA, NEA/ARPI
STATE PASS TO CDC (JGERBERDING) AND NIH (EZERHOUNIAND)
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (JWHITTLESEY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO PREL SA MU ESTH
SUBJECT: OMAN CALLS FOR IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL POLIO
IMMUNIZATIONS

REF: 05 MUSCAT 864


1. According to local media, four cases of polio were
reported in Oman in 2004 and 2005. Two Yemeni brothers, aged
9 and 10, were treated for symptoms of poliomyelitis, while
visiting the Sultanate during the summer of 2005. The Omani
Ministry Of Health also reported two cases of polio were
"imported" from Saudi Arabia in late 2004.


2. Oman last experienced an indigenous polio outbreak in
1988, when 118 cases were reported. In response to the 1988
outbreak, the Ministry of Health boosted the number of
vaccinations on the polio immunization schedule from 3 to 5.
The Ministry also launched a surveillance system for acute
flaccid poliomyelitis (AFP) in 1991, and in the mid-1990s,
launched a series of yearly public immunization campaigns,
which has covered over 95% of the eligible population.


3. The Ministry noted that such efforts will need to be
replicated in neighboring countries such as Yemen in order to
stop the spread of polio in the region. In particular, the
Ministry called on the international community to support
improved immunization efforts. Reftel reported Oman's
contribution in 2005 of $100,000 to UNICEF's regional polio
vaccination campaign.
BALTIMORE