About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

EU 'Ready to Increase Assistance' If Syria Polio Outbreak Confirmed

by Bidita Debnath on October 28, 2013 at 11:03 PM
 EU 'Ready to Increase Assistance' If Syria Polio Outbreak Confirmed

If an outbreak of polio is confirmed in war-ravaged Syria, the European Union said that it was ready to increase assistance to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

UN agencies are stepping up efforts to vaccinate children in Syria against a host of diseases and the WHO has received reports of 22 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), possibly caused by the poliovirus.

Advertisement

If so these would be the first cases in Syria since 1999.

"The situation is extremely worrying given the present security situation and the problems with access to those who will need to be vaccinated," said the EU's Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.
Advertisement

"The European Union is prepared for such an eventuality," she said in a statement, noting that the 28-nation bloc has committed 13.5 million euros ($18.6 million) to the WHO since the beginning of the Syrian crisis and "we stand ready to do more if needed."

Overall, the EU has offered around two billion euros in aid since the conflict in Syria first erupted in March 2011.

The commissioner said she was in contact with the WHO epidemiology surveillance unit based in Amman, awaiting news on the cases.

"The EU hopes that we can nip this potential polio resurgence in the bud and spare the Syrian people from yet another source of suffering," she said.

The highly infectious disease affects mainly children under five and can cause paralysis in a matter of hours. Some cases can be fatal.

Source: AFP
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest General Health News

Hawk Data Pro: An Essential One Health Surveillance Tool for Rabies Management
Implementing the Hawk Data Pro system as a passive surveillance tool enabled us to record an ongoing rabies outbreak within a major Indian metropolis.
Wild Poliovirus Resurfaces in Pakistan
The Pakistan Ministry has announced the commencement of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign beginning on October 2, aiming to immunize more children.
US Woman Loses All Limbs in Fish-Related Bacterial Outbreak
In a tragic incident, a woman in the US experienced the loss of all her limbs as a result of a bacterial outbreak linked to the consumption of contaminated fish.
NIH Launches the First In-Human Universal Flu Vaccine Trial
FluMos-v2, a unique universal influenza vaccine candidate, undergoing a phase 1 trial at NIH, increases recipients' immunity against many influenza viruses.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative Assesses Vaccination Strategies in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the polio campaign focuses on more than 270,000 children under the age of five years, residing in areas with insufficient vaccine coverage.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

EU 'Ready to Increase Assistance' If Syria Polio Outbreak Confirmed Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests