The child arrived at the hospital with limb weakness and after an inquiry at the National Virus Laboratory, the sample was found to be positive for the polio virus.
There are about 150,000 unvaccinated children in Israel and there is evidence of the continued existence of polio in the sewers in many communities.
The Ministry of Health mentions that the main way to protect children from paralysis is through a killed polio vaccine. To prevent transmission of the virus it is important to maintain hand hygiene.
The district health office will open an epidemiological investigation and contact close contacts of the child to provide specific instructions. According to the findings of the investigation, a decision will be made on additional recommendations.
The Ministry of Health will continue monitoring and update the findings.
Polio is a virus that causes paralysis in children, which has been eradicated from many countries in the world thanks to effective and safe vaccines that have been known for decades. No child in the State of Israel in 2023 should suffer from polio. A vaccinated child is a protected child.