JERUSALEM, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on Tuesday announced a national vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of the poliovirus.

       The campaign, intended for teenagers up to the age of 17, was launched after nine cases of the virus were recently detected in Jerusalem, with one suffering from paralysis, the minister said at a press conference.

       The virus was also found in wastewater during routine monitoring in the cities of Beit Shemesh, Modi'in Illit, Bnei Brak and Tiberias, the minister added.

       Following detection of the infection cases, the ministry called for the adherence to routine vaccinations at the recommended time and the full completion of vaccinations.

       Millions of doses have arrived in Israel to make it possible to launch the nationwide campaign, according to the ministry.