Israel's Health Ministry announced Thursday that, following the detection of the polio virus in environmental samples (wastewater) in the Jerusalem district, additional positive samples have now been found at sites in central Israel, including Bnei Brak, Ramla, Lod, and the Shafdan wastewater facility. These findings indicate that the virus is also being transmitted among the population in those areas.
It is worth noting that the virus caused paralysis in a 17-year-old boy, in December 2024.
In an effort to protect the public from polio, including the risk of paralysis caused by the virus, the Health Ministry is urging anyone who has not been vaccinated to complete their polio vaccinations immediately. Vaccines are available nationwide at Family Care Centers (Tipat Halav) and through the school health services.
The ministry also advised that if a child's vaccination status is unclear, parents can check the government's personal health portal or consult the national digital vaccination registry.
In a directive sent Thursday to district physicians, medical directors, and general hospital administrators, the ministry laid out its current response strategy, which focuses on three key principles: closing vaccination gaps; stepping up clinical monitoring to identify and immediately report any suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis; and continuing intensified environmental surveillance according to a predetermined sampling plan.
