Syria: 33 polio cases reported as of August 23

Event

As of August 23, 2017, 33 children had reportedly been paralyzed as a result of a polio outbreak in Mayadin, Raqqa, and Homs. This is the first outbreak of polio in Syria since 2014.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has responded to the outbreak by vaccinating around 90,000 children under five years old and 320,000 adults in Deir al-Zour province between July 22 to July 26.  A second round of vaccinations was carried out from August 19 to August 23.

Context

In total, UNICEF, WHO, and local partners have vaccinated approximately 355,000 children under five years old in Deir al-Zour and Raqqa provinces since the Syrian polio outbreak began. Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can result in paralysis. The virus is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route and primarily affects children under the age of five. Around 0.5 percent of all infections result in permanent paralysis, with 5-10 percent of all paralysis cases resulting in death.

While a global campaign to end polio was largely successful, the disease continues to circulate in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Advice

Individuals in Syria are advised to verify their vaccination status and monitor the situation.

On a more general note, due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some countries banning all travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to the country.