UN Declares Polio an International Health Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the spread of polio an international public health emergency.

The U.N. agency described current polio outbreaks across at least 10 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as an "extraordinary event" that requires a coordinated international response.

In April, there were 68 confirmed polio cases worldwide, compared with just 24 at the same time last year.

Officials also worry countries torn by conflict are rife for polio re-infection and could ignite a wider outbreak as refugees flee to other countries.