Two new cases of polio recorded in Ukraine
Two children in Ukraine are paralysed after contracting polio. The four year old and 10-month old children are the first cases of polio in Europe since 2010.
The World Health Organization said that polio recurred because the immunization rates in Ukraine are very low. Vaccines are in short supply as the country struggles with economic problems and Russia-backed rebels, according to The Guardian.
A spokesperson for Unicef said: “Low vaccine coverage in Ukraine was initially triggered by public distrust to immunisation. This was later aggravated by insufficient vaccine supply, due to the financial crisis, and exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and large-scale population displacement in eastern Ukraine.”
But since the two cases emerged, efforts will be exerted to fight polio in Ukraine.
The WHO statement said: “WHO and Unicef are providing the ministry of health with technical and on-site support in planning and implementing large-scale supplementary immunisation activities with oral polio vaccine (OPV) to rapidly stop circulation of the virus.”
Ted Hill, CEO of The British Polio Fellowship stresses that the assistance the foundation will receive will be spent to promote awareness of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome.
“As much as this news is a setback, it’s imperative that it’s turned into something positive and acts as wake up call as to what more needs to be done. As the CEO of the charity which helps, supports and empowers those in the UK living with the late effects of Polio and PPS, it is my hope that this recent news acts as a catalyst for change. It is vital that we heed these recent cases in Europe as a warning and recognise the vast amount of work still to be done.”
Category: Features, Health alert
