Polio Resurfaces in Gaza for First Time in 25 Years Amid Conflict
A polio case has been detected in the Gaza Strip for the first time in 25 years, as a 10-month-old unvaccinated baby was diagnosed with the disease in central Gaza. This alarming development comes amid the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, which has severely disrupted public health services, including vaccination campaigns.
Palestinian health authorities reported the case, raising fears of a potential polio outbreak in the region. The United Nations had previously warned that the 11-month cessation of vaccination activities due to the conflict could lead to the resurgence of diseases like polio.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently emphasized the urgency of resuming vaccination efforts in Gaza, urging for the immediate inoculation of approximately 640,000 children who have missed their immunizations during the war. The discovery of this polio case just days after Guterres’ statement highlights the critical need for renewed public health initiatives in the region.
The reappearance of polio in Gaza not only marks a significant setback in global efforts to eradicate the disease but also underscores the devastating impact of prolonged conflict on vulnerable populations. Public health experts are now concerned about the potential for further spread of the virus, especially in an environment where healthcare infrastructure is already strained to its limits.
