Indonesia Holds Polio Vaccination Campaign in Aceh Province

The nationwide decline was part of a broader drop in basic immunizations, such as for measles and rubella, according to UNICEF.

Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, said the discovery of polio in Aceh must be responded to seriously because "the threat is real for Indonesia," noting that basic immunization coverage is still low, putting the country at a high-risk category.

"This is what the government really has to pursue because it's dangerous if we don't," Dicky said.

"We must move immediately by strengthening basic immunization or there will be a potential additional health disaster for Indonesia."

Sources: Associated Press, VOA