Headline: 85 percent of children affected by polio in 2023 lived in fragile and conflict-affected areas: UNICEF
Source: UN News
Date: February 22, 2023
Summary:
The vast majority of children affected by polio in 2023 lived in countries affected by conflict or fragility, according to UNICEF. The agency said that out of the 1,013 cases of polio reported globally in 2023, 85 percent were in fragile or conflict-affected areas.
UNICEF warned that the situation is particularly concerning in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria, where children are at high risk of contracting the disease. The agency said that these countries have weak health systems, limited access to vaccines, and ongoing insecurity, which makes it difficult to reach children with life-saving vaccines.
“The fact that so many children affected by polio are living in conflict-affected areas is a tragedy,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “These children are already facing immense challenges, and polio is just one more threat to their health and well-being.”
UNICEF is calling for increased efforts to reach children in these areas with polio vaccines. The agency said that it is working with partners to strengthen health systems, provide mobile vaccination teams, and conduct community-based vaccination campaigns.
Implications:
The high number of polio cases in fragile and conflict-affected areas is a major concern, as it could lead to a resurgence of the disease globally. Polio is a highly contagious disease that can cause paralysis and even death, and it is particularly dangerous for children.
The conflict and fragility in these areas make it difficult to reach children with vaccines, which is essential for preventing the spread of polio. UNICEF’s call for increased efforts to reach these children is critical to ensuring that they are protected from this preventable disease.
Additional Information:
- Polio is a vaccine-preventable disease, but it can still cause outbreaks in areas where vaccination coverage is low.
- The polio vaccine is safe and effective, and it is one of the most important vaccines for children.
- UNICEF is working with partners to eradicate polio from the world.
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