NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Israel Ministry of Health reported today a case of polio (child paralysis) in a 4-year-old child in Jerusalem who was unvaccinated.

The source of the disease in this case, a polio virus that has undergone changes and may cause disease in those who are not vaccinated.

This is the first case in Israel since 1989.

The Jerusalem District Health Bureau has opened an epidemiological investigation and will contact the child in close contact to provide specific instructions. Based on the findings of the investigation, further recommendations will be decided.

Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay

It should be noted that the virus is found in sewage samples in the area, a finding that occurs occasionally, but so far in similar incidents in the past there have been no clinical cases.

The most important means of preventing polio is to adhere to routine immunizations at the recommended time according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. It is recommended to complete routine immunizations as soon as possible for those who have not yet done so.

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Polio is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus. The virus is contagious and is transmitted from person to person (especially in children). The virus enters the body through the mouth and is excreted in the feces. There are usually no signs of illness and only one in a thousand people (who are not vaccinated) will develop symptoms symptomatically with paralysis.

Health officials will continue to update the public as needed as the investigation progresses.