The Israeli Ministry of Health announced Thursday the discovery of traces of the polio virus in environmental samples taken from the Jerusalem region and the center of the country. The analyzes were carried out in the wastewater of several sites in Bnei Brak, Ramla, Lod and in the Shefela region (coastal plain).
These results testify to the circulation of the polio virus within the population in these geographic areas. The Ministry of Health urgently calls on anyone who is not vaccinated against polio to complete their vaccination to protect themselves against this disease, especially against the paralysis it can cause.
This alert comes after a 17 -year -old teenager was paralyzed by the virus in December 2024. Vaccinations are available in maternal and child protection centers (Tipat Halav) distributed throughout the country, as well as in school health services. To check the vaccination status, families can consult the personal government site via the digital vaccination book.
The ministry has transmitted directives to regional doctors, medical directors of health insurance funds and hospitals. The current strategy is based on three axes: Complete vaccinations, strengthen clinical surveillance to detect suspicious cases of acute flange paralysis, and maintain reinforced environmental monitoring according to the established sampling plan.
