Syria polio outbreak spreads, at least 22 infected
- 10 years ago
Originally published on October 25, 2013
At least 22 people are believed to have contracted polio in Syria, the first outbreak of the disease in 14 years, according to the World Health Organization on Thursday (October 24).
It was reported that most of people infected are children under the age of two. More than 100,000 children under the age of five are deemed at risk of polio in the eastern province.
Polio is a viral infectious disease spread from person to person. The virus is usually spread through the fecal-oral route, via contaminated water or food. There are two types of polio: nonparalytic polio or abortive poliomyelitis and paralytic polio. Most people with polio don't display any symptoms or become noticeably sick. Most people with nonparalytic polio are able to make a full recovery, while those with paralytic polio generally end up with irreversible paralysis. There is no known cure for polio. It can only be prevented through immunization.
According to Reuters: "worldwide, cases of polio decreased from an estimated 350,000 when the campaign began in 1988 to 223 reported cases in 2012, according to the WHO. So far this year, not including the cases in Syria, there have been 296 cases worldwide.
"The United Nations' Children's Agency (UNICEF) said on Thursday it had chartered a plane filled with vaccines and food to combat the rising threat of other types of disease and malnutrition among Syrian children.
"The cargo, which has landed in Beirut and will be trucked into Syria, had vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella as well as 'supercereal', a fortified food for children."
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At least 22 people are believed to have contracted polio in Syria, the first outbreak of the disease in 14 years, according to the World Health Organization on Thursday (October 24).
It was reported that most of people infected are children under the age of two. More than 100,000 children under the age of five are deemed at risk of polio in the eastern province.
Polio is a viral infectious disease spread from person to person. The virus is usually spread through the fecal-oral route, via contaminated water or food. There are two types of polio: nonparalytic polio or abortive poliomyelitis and paralytic polio. Most people with polio don't display any symptoms or become noticeably sick. Most people with nonparalytic polio are able to make a full recovery, while those with paralytic polio generally end up with irreversible paralysis. There is no known cure for polio. It can only be prevented through immunization.
According to Reuters: "worldwide, cases of polio decreased from an estimated 350,000 when the campaign began in 1988 to 223 reported cases in 2012, according to the WHO. So far this year, not including the cases in Syria, there have been 296 cases worldwide.
"The United Nations' Children's Agency (UNICEF) said on Thursday it had chartered a plane filled with vaccines and food to combat the rising threat of other types of disease and malnutrition among Syrian children.
"The cargo, which has landed in Beirut and will be trucked into Syria, had vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella as well as 'supercereal', a fortified food for children."
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