U.S.-incurred costs of wild poliovirus infections in a camp with U.S.-bound refugees--Kenya, 2006.

Routine predeparture vaccinations are not required for U.S.-bound refugees, a policy that potentially leaves U.S. communities vulnerable to importation of vaccine-preventable diseases. During October-December 2006, an outbreak of poliomyelitis associated with wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) occurred in a camp occupied by refugees awaiting resettlement to the United States. This report describes the costs of domestic and international activities borne by U.S. federal and state governments, U.S.-funded organizations, and U.S. voluntary agencies during their response to this outbreak. Requiring predeparture polio vaccinations for U.S.-bound refugees might reduce the risk for poliovirus importation and reduce the costs associated with responses to polio outbreaks among refugees.

PMID: 18322446 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]