[News Focus] A War Within a War

Polio erupted in Syria last October after a 15-year absence—a sign of the devastation of the health system during the country's 3-year civil war. Millions of Syrian children, some of whom have not been vaccinated since the conflict began, are at high risk, as are millions more in surrounding countries as refugees stream across their borders. The World Health Organization and its partners have launched the biggest polio emergency response ever attempted in the Middle East. But to stop the outbreak, they will have to find ways to reach children who so far have been cut off from all humanitarian aid. Author: Leslie Roberts
Source: Science: This Week - Category: Science Authors: Source Type: research