Advertisement

Updated October 23rd, 2019 at 18:28 IST

UN says 1st local polio case found in Zambia since 1995

The World Health Organization says Zambia has reported its first local case of polio since 1995, in a 2-year-old boy paralyzed by a virus derived from the vaccine.

UN says 1st local polio case found in Zambia since 1995
| Image:self
Advertisement

The World Health Organization says Zambia has reported its first local case of polio since 1995, in a 2-year-old boy paralyzed by a virus derived from the vaccine. In a report this week, WHO said the case was detected on the border with Congo, which has reported 37 cases of polio traced to the vaccine this year.

The U.N. health agency said there is no established link between the Zambia case and the Congo outbreak but increased efforts are needed to prevent international spread. In rare cases, the live virus in the oral polio vaccine can mutate into a form capable of sparking new outbreaks. Nine African countries are currently battling polio epidemics linked to the vaccine as WHO and partners struggle to keep their efforts to eradicate polio on track.

Advertisement

Published October 23rd, 2019 at 18:26 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Pooja Vastrekar
a few seconds ago
Congress Press Conference
3 minutes ago
Crew posters
8 minutes ago
Big Communication Gap Within the Congress: Sanjay Nirupam Targets Party Leadership | EXCLUSIVE
9 minutes ago
VST Tillers Tractors
10 minutes ago
High-net-worth women show a nuanced approach to wealth with interest in alternative investments and cautious risk tolerance.
10 minutes ago
Shreyas Iyer
16 minutes ago
RCB vs KKR
23 minutes ago
France has approached 46 countries for the possible provision of over 2,000 police officers and several military personnel.
29 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo