Syria blames polio outbreak on foreign jihadists
A Syrian government minister said Sunday that foreign fighters who have come to the country to wage jihad are responsible for the outbreak of polio in the rebel-controlled north.
Last week, the United Nations health agency confirmed 10 polio cases in northeast Syria, the first confirmed outbreak of the disease in the country in 14 years, raising a risk of it spreading across the region. The confirmed cases are among babies and toddlers, all under 2, who were "under-immunized," according to the World Health Organization. The agency is awaiting lab results on another 12 cases showing polio symptoms.
Minister of Social Affairs Kindah al-Shammat told The Associated Press on Sunday that jihadis from Pakistan were to blame.
"The virus originates in Pakistan and has been brought to Syria by the jihadists who come from Pakistan" the minister said. She offered no evidence and did not elaborate on the claim. Pakistan is one of three countries where polio remains endemic.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57610592/syria-blames-polio-outbreak-on-foreign-jihadists/