EU worried over polio cases in Syria

The European Union Saturday said reports about polio cases In Syria "is extremely worrying" given the present security situation and the problems with access to those who will need to be vaccinated. EU Commissioners for humanitarian aid Kristalina Georgieva in a statement noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has received reports that about 22 cases of polio virus have been diagnosed in Deir Az-Zour in Northern Syria. "We are constantly monitoring the situation inside Syria and in the neighbouring countries. We are in contact with the WHO epidemiology surveillance unit based in Amman and others in the region to see how we can be of further assistance if the cases are confirmed," she said. "The European Union is prepared for such an eventuality, and through our humanitarian budget we have already committed seven million euro to the WHO," added the statement.