Polio Strikes Gaza: Urgent Vaccination Campaign

0:00This is Tampa Bay News today, powered by AI and presented by the Daily News Now. A polio case has shrugged Gaza for the first time in 25 years. A 10-month-old boy is now paralyzed in his leg after contracting the virus. The United Nations Health Agency is kicking off a major vaccination campaign this Sunday, aiming to protect 640,000 Palestinians. Children, meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its travel advisory to level 2 for 32 countries battling polio. Outbreaks including Gaza, Israel, and others across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Polio mostly affects kids under 5 and spreads through contaminated water or waste. While many infections cause no symptoms, severe ones can paralyze the legs or stop breathing, with one in 200 cases leading to life long. Disability and up to 10% of paralyzed kids dying. Global efforts have slashed polio cases by more than 99% since the World Health Organization's eradication push in the late 1980s.

1:05Still, success hinges on vaccinating at least 95% of people everywhere, even in conflict zones with shaky health systems. Travelers to those areas should get up to date on polio vaccines before going kids need four doses, and adults may require a one-time booster. U.S. health officials continue recommending full polio shots for children, despite recent changes to other vaccine schedules. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. A pillow that plays your sound quietly, comfortably, effortlessly. Built for nighttime listening, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.