Poliomyelitis (polio), caused by the polio virus, can be dangerous for unvaccinated individuals as it attacks the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness or paralysis. The last reported case of polio in Poland was in 1984.
Following the detection of the virus in sewage in the right-bank part of Warsaw, sanitary and epidemiological authorities have decided to expand testing across the entire capital.
In the Mazowieckie region, 96% of children are vaccinated against polio, while the national vaccination rate is lower at 88%. To prevent the spread of the virus, a vaccination coverage of at least 95% among children and adolescents is needed.
"We urge medical personnel, as well as parents and guardians of children who have not been vaccinated or completed the full polio vaccination cycle, to ensure that missing vaccinations are given," stated the public health authorities.
Polio is primarily transmitted through contaminated water, food, or contact with infected individuals (dirty hands or respiratory droplets).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), polio cases have dropped by more than 99% since 1988, thanks to vaccines.
Source: IAR/PAP/GIS/WHO
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