New polio vaccination campaign begins in Cuba

Havana, Feb 22 (RHC)  The Cuban Ministry of Public Health announced that the 62nd National Oral Polio Vaccination Campaign will be carried out simultaneously throughout the country in February and April.

All children over one month old or under three years of age will be vaccinated on February 27.

Poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus.

The vast majority of poliovirus infections produce no symptoms, but five to 10 out of every 100 people infected with poliovirus may have some flu-like symptoms.

The virus can destroy parts of the nervous system, causing permanent paralysis of the legs or arms.

Although very rare, the virus can attack parts of the brain that help to breathe, which can cause death.

According to statistics published by the Pan American Health Organization, the last case of polio in Cuba was reported in 1962.