Press Release: Statement by Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, on suspected polio cases in Syria / Europe at ‘polio risk’ from Syria

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/13/1000 (26.10.13)
Publication Date 26/10/2013
Content Type

The European Commission on 26 October 2013 reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) received reports that twenty two cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), possibly caused by the poliovirus, have been diagnosed in Deir-ez-zur in Northern Syria. Final results are awaited from the regional reference laboratory of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO. These could be the first cases in Syria since 1999 and the situation is extremely worrying given the present security situation and the problems with access to those who will need to be vaccinated.

BBC News reported on the 8 November 2013 that, according to infectious disease experts, Europe could be at risk from polio following a recent outbreak in Syria.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1000_en.htm
Related Links
EurActiv, 31.10.13: Polio outbreak in Syria fuels calls for ‘vaccination ceasefire’ http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/vaccination-ceasefire-calls-grow-news-531418
ECDC: News, 24.10.13: Rapid Risk Assessment on suspected polio cases in Syria and the risk to the EU/EEA http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/_layouts/forms/News_DispForm.aspx?List=8db7286c%2Dfe2d%2D476c%2D9133%2D18ff4cb1b568&ID=883&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Fpress%2Fnews%2FLists%2FNews&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eecdc%2Eeuropa%2Eeu%2Fen%2Fpress%2Fnews%2FPages%2FNews%2Easpx&Web=86661a14%2Dfb61%2D43e0%2D9663%2D0d514841605d
BBC News, 08.11.13: Europe at 'polio risk' from Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24854920
ECDC: News, 08.11.13: ECDC highlights its recent risk assessments on polio http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/_layouts/forms/News_DispForm.aspx?List=8db7286c%2Dfe2d%2D476c%2D9133%2D18ff4cb1b568&ID=898&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Fpress%2Fnews%2FLists%2FNews&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eecdc%2Eeuropa%2Eeu%2Fen%2FPages%2Fhome%2Easpx&Web=86661a14%2Dfb61%2D43e0%2D9663%2D0d514841605d
Spiegel Online International, 21.11.13: An Apolitical Virus: Strife Fuels Polio's Return to Middle East http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-health-organization-slows-campaign-against-polio-in-syria-a-934651.html

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