Health The return of polio is also possible in Switzerland

Polio, which has been eradicated in Switzerland since the 1990s, could return. This is shown by the situation in Gaza, as the organization Polio.ch writes. In Switzerland, a polio outbreak would be possible due to importation and low vaccination rates.

The risk of new cases of poliomyelitis, or polio for short, is very real in Switzerland, according to a statement issued by the Swiss Association of the Paralyzed on Friday to mark World Polio Day on October 28.

In particular, the migration movement from Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only countries where the polio virus is still endemic, is contributing to this. In order to stop the spread of polio, a vaccination rate of 95 percent would be necessary for children under the age of eight.

According to the organization, only a third of the cantons achieve this rate. The lowest vaccination coverage of 89% is in the canton of Lucerne. In general, Central Switzerland is the part of the country with the highest risk.

"Very low" risk

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) attests that Switzerland has a high vaccination rate. The risk of introduction is "very low", but exists in view of the declining vaccination coverage in certain countries, the FOPH said in response to an inquiry from the Keystone-SDA news agency. The cantons have therefore been informed about the procedure in the event of infection.

Polio is a smear infection and spreads under poor hygienic conditions, for example through contaminated water and food. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a major vaccination campaign after the first case in 25 years occurred in Gaza.

The Swiss Association of the Paralyzed is an interest group for polio syndrome. It was founded in 1939, when poliomyelitis severely affected many children across the country. Vaccinations have only been available since the 1950s.