First Case of Polio Confirmed in Gaza Strip
A 10-month-old infant in the Gaza Strip has been diagnosed with polio, marking the first recorded case of the disease in the region. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah announced the news on Friday, following tests in Amman, Jordan that confirmed the diagnosis.
The infant, who is unvaccinated, is from Deir al-Balah in the center of the Gaza Strip. This development comes as a wake-up call, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and challenging living conditions in the region.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had previously called for a ceasefire to allow for the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children in the Gaza Strip. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have also pushed for a seven-day ceasefire to enable the mass vaccination campaign.
The discovery of polioviruses in the Gaza Strip’s sewage in July led the UN to plan mass vaccinations against polio. Two rounds of vaccinations are scheduled for late August and September, with over 640,000 children up to the age of 10 set to be protected against the virus.
Polio is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that can cause permanent paralysis and death, especially in young children. The virus is often spread through contaminated water, highlighting the importance of access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation.
This recent diagnosis serves as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to combat the spread of polio in the Gaza Strip. With the UN’s planned vaccination campaign and continued international support, efforts are underway to protect the children of Gaza from this devastating disease.