New Zealanders are reminded of the importance of getting immunised against polio after a passenger on board a Thai airways flight to Australia was discovered to be diagnosed with the disease, the Ministry of Health says.
The 22-year-old man from Pakistan was diagnosed with the first case of
polio in Australia in 20 years and remains quarantined in Melbourne's Box Hill hospital.
Five of the man's flatmates were also quarantined in their Melbourne home as a precaution.
The Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a national health alert when the diagnosis was confirmed on Friday.
About 120 of the 249 passengers, who were on flight TG999 from Bangkok to Melbourne on July 2, have been found and about 50 were given booster shots at the DHS office in Melbourne yesterday.
Ministry of Health public health director Mark Jacobs said he understood there were no New Zealanders on the flight but if people had any concerns they could contact their local doctor or the ministry for advice.
"This case highlights the fact that polio has not been eradicated in some parts of the world.
"It is also a reminder to parents of the importance of getting their children immunised against polio. The polio vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Schedule and is free for all New Zealand children," Dr Jacobs said.
Victoria's chief health officer Dr John Carnie said the man's symptoms had gone, but h e would be quarantined for at least 10 days and must test negative twi ce before being released.
The student had been in Pakistan for four months before returning to Australia.
Pakistan is one of four countries not declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation.
- NZPA
