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Year
2007 |
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Fear of impotence curbs polio vaccinations in Pakistan
January 26, 2007
Health officials in Pakistan say 160,000 children have not been
immunized against polio because of rumors that the vaccine causes
sexual impotence, reported the
BBC. Parents told the BBC that they feared an “American conspiracy”
to halt the fertility of the next generation.
The World Heath Organization has mounted a $196 million campaign
to control the disease in Pakistan, one of four countries they say
is a source of polio. In 2006, 1,902 cases of polio were reported
worldwide. At least 39 cases of polio were reported in Pakistan,
15 of those from the North-West Frontier Province and tribal areas,
where only 20% of people are vaccinated.
Local clerics in the North-West Frontier Province started the rumor
on their illegal FM radio stations, the BBC reported. According
to NWFP residents, Maulana Fazlullah told listeners that the polio
immunization project was "a conspiracy of the Jews and Christians
to stunt the population growth of Muslims." Maulana told the
BBC that international organizations should help hepatitis-C patients
if they really want to improve the health of Muslims.
To read more : http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid41409.asp |
