A dozen cases of poliomyelitis infection have been officially confirmed in Israel, but a source at the Ministry of Health estimates that the figure is much higher and is increasing by around five to ten percent every day. “Most of the cases are asymptomatic”
The health committee, chaired by MP Idit Silman, met yesterday (Sunday) for a discussion aimed at detecting children with the disease in children’s clinics, PMIs.
they also discussed polio vaccines since the first cases were found last month.
The Health Ministry does not know how many Israelis have contracted polio amid estimates that there are hundreds beyond the few reported cases.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health launched a national polio vaccination operation for children under 6, and in the next few days the sewer networks will be tested to see the extent of the phenomenon.
“There is a percentage of cases that will be paralyzed”
There are officially a dozen cases of poliomyelitis in Israelbut a source at the Ministry of Health estimates that: “The figure is much higher and increasing about five to ten percent each day. He stated: “Currently, the risk is low among those who are vaccinated.” He added – “Most polio patients do not experience any symptoms. Currently, the possibility of testing sewage systems is being explored, especially in cities where the polio virus has been discovered, it will therefore be decided how and to what extent the vaccinations will be carried out.”
According to another Education Ministry source, there are fears that Israel will face the poliomyelitis epidemic because of vaccine opponents. He noted that “the vast majority of parents have their children vaccinated against the virus.” However, he points out that “It’s a virus that we managed to defeat decades ago and without civic discipline, the situation will only get worse”.
Dr. Elrai Price explained that between 10 and 20% of cases have symptoms and the parents do not understand at all that it is poliomyelitis. “There is a percentage of them who will be paralyzed.”
The public health chief also noted that the virus has been found in cities other than Jerusalem, where a girl’s case was discovered about a month ago. “A Tibériade, Modi’in Illit, Beit Shemesh and more. The first step was to call all children to come and get vaccinated. There is a lot of data from 2005 to 2013 that confirms that a lot of children just haven’t had all the vaccines and have to come in for the shots.”
“There is a certain increase in the refusal to vaccinate children”
The Ministry of Health also stressed that it felt difficulties in everything related to the issue of vaccines in the context of the corona crisis and opponents of vaccines who have extended their activities beyond the area of corona.
The head of the public health headquarters said the State of Israel, along with many countries in the World Health Organization, is a partner in the global polio eradication program, which requires intensive and regular surveillance and rapid and effective intervention when an indication of the presence of the virus, clinical signs occur.
He added that alongside the awareness program there is a nationwide vaccination campaign for 6 and under that all children in the family have been summoned. In addition, in all vaccination centers, all ages will be accepted. If there is a child who is not vaccinated at all, the whole family will be invited to complete the vaccinations.