Polio risk looms over Europe

Cases in Syria highlight vulnerability of nearby countries to the viral disease.

Declan Butler 29 October 2013

To many Europeans, poliomyelitis is an ancient foe. But for the first time in years, there is a risk that the crippling paralytic disease is about to make an unwelcome return. Poliovirus has re-emerged on Europe’s southeastern flank — in Israel and Syria — leaving public-health officials concerned that the disease could be imported and again become established on the continent.

Europe is surprisingly vulnerable. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared its European region, which now spans 53 countries from Portugal to Russia, free of polio in 2002. But many countries have since dropped their guard. Surveillance systems are often incomplete and of poor quality, and suboptimal vaccination rates mean that many countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, are considered to be susceptible to outbreaks sparked by imported cases^{1, 2} (see ‘Polio threat’).   The situation is “a wake up call”....To Read More....

My Take - There are activists who constantly warn of the dangers of vaccinations. Are their views based on a religious persuasion? No! They actually claim their position is science based. If that’s true, then I have to wonder what is their solution to this problem. If there is no alternative there is no problem - except for activists who are opposed to any kind of chemistry, including vaccines.