Indonesia's polio toll climbs to 155, with dozens of new cases reported

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia's polio toll has climbed to 155, with dozens of new cases reported in the last two weeks. A World Health Organization medical officer in Indonesia said the 33 new cases were all reported in areas already infected with the crippling disease. The polio outbreak is Indonesia's first in 10 years and has prompted authorities to vaccinate up to 6.5 million children. Another 24 million will be targeted in a nationwide campaign that begins Aug. 30. Polio is spread when unvaccinated people come into contact with the feces of those with the virus, often through water.

It usually attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis, muscular atrophy, deformation and sometimes death, although only about one in 200 of those infected ever develop symptoms.

© The Canadian Press, 2005