On Wednesday, WHO confirmed two cases of polio among children in western Ukraine for the first time in Europe since 2010. The disease can cause paralysis or death.
"I appeal to families to promptly bring their children for immunization, as soon as the Ministry of Health begins the immunization campaign over the coming days and weeks," the head of the WHO Ukraine, Dorit Nitzan, was quoted as saying bu the United Nations.
According to the UN health agency, both cases occurred due to a low level of the immunization coverage in Ukraine, as only 27 percent of Ukrainian mothers are aware of the threats the disease poses.
WHO said it worked closely with Ukraine's Ministry of Health to launch the immunization campaign soon and distribute 4.8 million polio vaccines.
Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease that can affect the human nervous system and can result in partial or full paralysis. Though the virus was first recorded about 6000 years ago, outbreaks still occur, especially among people who have not been vaccinated.
