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To Fight Polio Outbreaks, WHO Lays Down New Rules

The World Health Organization is warning that recent outbreaks of polio in the Middle East, Africa and Asia mark a setback to the decades-long effort to eradicate the disease. In response, the WHO has declared a world health emergency. It's asking Syria, Pakistan and Cameroon — current polio hot spots — to require all travelers leaving those countries to show proof of vaccination.

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Jason Beaubien is NPR's Global Health and Development Correspondent on the Science Desk.