Syrian Arab Republic Launches Health Response to Polio Outbreak

The Syrian Arab Republic has initiated a coordinated public health response following a polio outbreak in Deir Ezzor. The Ministry of Health, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners, has started vaccination activities in affected areas. This move comes after the detection of poliovirus type 1 (VDPV1) in two children aged between 6 and 13 months who developed paralysis in Deir Ezzor Governorate.

The Ministry of Health has begun vaccination campaigns in areas impacted by the outbreak. A vaccination campaign on October 18 reached over 34,000 children under five in Deir Ezzor. An additional campaign is planned for the following week, with further rounds and locations to be determined through ongoing assessments. The Ministry encourages families to verify their children’s vaccination records, complete all recommended doses, and participate in the campaigns.

Polio can cause permanent paralysis but can be prevented through vaccination. Completing the recommended doses helps protect children, and high vaccination coverage helps stop the virus from spreading. The Ministry, with support from WHO, UNICEF, and partners, is strengthening surveillance and conducting field investigations to identify any further cases, assess the risk of transmission, and guide vaccination activities.

The response focuses on reaching children who have missed vaccinations and helping families access reliable information and essential health services. Disruptions to health services and difficulties accessing routine immunization have left gaps in protection in some communities. The Ministry of Health, with WHO and UNICEF support, aims to restore essential health services, with the number of operational primary health care centers in Deir Ezzor increasing from 40 to 87.

The Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF are working together to stop poliovirus transmission, strengthen routine immunization, and support sustained access to essential health services across Syria. Syria’s experience in stopping poliovirus outbreaks in the past, including during years of conflict, highlights the value of coordinated health action and community participation in protecting children.

Key officials have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in these efforts. Syrian Minister of Health Dr. Mousab Al Ali stated that vaccination is a crucial step in protecting children from polio. WHO Representative in Syria Dr. Caroline Clarinval noted that polio can be stopped by closing immunity gaps and reaching every child. UNICEF Representative in Syria Meritxell Relaño Arana stressed that every child deserves protection from preventable diseases, including polio.

The Ministry of Health will provide regular public updates on the epidemiological situation, response activities, and upcoming vaccination campaigns. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check their children’s vaccination status, participate in upcoming vaccination campaigns, seek medical attention if a child develops sudden weakness or paralysis, and follow updates from the Ministry of Health and trusted health sources.

Key points

• The Syrian Ministry of Health has launched a vaccination campaign to contain a polio outbreak in Deir Ezzor, with support from WHO and UNICEF.
• The outbreak was detected in two children aged between 6 and 13 months who developed paralysis in Deir Ezzor Governorate.
• The Ministry aims to restore essential health services, with the number of operational primary health care centers in Deir Ezzor increasing from 40 to 87.