US — Early January 2024, Klaten Regency, Central Java Province was designated by the Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health) The Republic of Indonesia (RI) as a polio Extraordinary Event (KLB) area. This follows the discovery of one positive case of polio in the district. Seeing this incident, Pediatrician Specialist at Sebelas Maret University Hospital (UNS) Surakarta, Dr. Debby Andina Landiasari, Sp.A. convey tips to prevent polio.
Polio or Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus. This disease attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis and even death. The polio virus is transmitted through ingesting food or water contaminated with the polio virus. “The polio virus enters the digestive tract and then the nervous system so it can cause paralysis,” explained Dr. Debby, Thursday (11/1/2024).
Polio can be prevented by carrying out polio immunization according to schedule. The Ministry of Health provides free polio immunization in all government health facilities. The immunization given is polio vaccine drops or Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at the age of 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months and injectable polio vaccine or Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), which is given at the ages of 4 months and 9 months.
So what is the impact if children are not given Polio immunization? According to Dr. Debby, when children do not receive polio immunization, the child will of course be more susceptible to polio disease which can cause paralysis. Second, children who are not immunized are at high risk of becoming a source of transmission of polio to other people. Third, the absence of adequate immunization coverage can increase the occurrence of polio outbreaks.
The factor that caused the outbreak in Klaten was due to incomplete polio immunization and complete immunization but the child was malnourished or had an imbalance in body nutrition. So what are the risk factors for polio transmission? The risk factors for polio transmission are low polio immunization coverage, poor environmental hygiene conditions and clean living behavior as well as the existence of individuals who defecate carelessly in rivers or water sources used daily.
Precautions that can be taken to avoid transmission of polio include ensuring that children receive complete polio immunization according to age, namely 4 drops of polio immunization and two injections of polio before the age of one year. Second, adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle, such as defecating in the toilet and washing your hands before eating and after urinating and defecating. “Third, immediately report to health workers if you find a child with symptoms of paralysis,” concluded Dr. Debbie. UNS Public Relations
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
2024-01-11 09:06:00
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