A mass vaccination campaign against polio has been launched in China after it was confirmed that the virus had spread from Pakistan.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

So far, nine cases of wild poliovirus 1, which has broken out in China for the first time since 1999, have been found in the region.

The infectious disease has been genetically linked to the virus currently circulating in Pakistan.

It is thought that the spread to China was caused by inadequate immunisation activities in federally administered tribal areas, including Khyber, the World Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.

The WHO rates the risk of further international spread of wild poliovirus from Pakistan as "high", particularly given the expected large-scale population movements associated with Umrah and the upcoming Hajj.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Pakistan is coming towards the end of its three-day nationwide polio eradication campaign, which is pushing the administration of anti-polio drops to children under the age of five.

Officials said on Monday that special arrangements have been made to reach 32.7 million children in the country with 39 million doses of polio vaccine, the Pakistan Observer reports.