The recent outbreak of polio in Gaza has raised alarms as the region faces a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict. Abdul Rahman, a 10-month-old baby, has been diagnosed with polio, marking the first case in Gaza in 25 years. This resurgence highlights the dire state of healthcare in the enclave, where vaccination rates have plummeted due to war conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are mobilizing a mass vaccination campaign targeting 640,000 children under the age of 10 in an effort to prevent further spread of the virus. However, the campaign faces significant challenges, including the need for a ceasefire to ensure safe access to vulnerable populations. Vaccination coverage must reach approximately 95% to effectively curb the outbreak, and the WHO warns that failure to achieve this could lead to thousands of new polio infections among children in Gaza. The situation is critical, as the health system has been severely damaged, with only a fraction of health centers operational amid ongoing military operations.
- Polio, caused by the poliovirus, is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects children under five, leading to irreversible paralysis or even death. The virus spreads through contaminated food and water, making sanitation and vaccination crucial in preventing outbreaks. The WHO has noted that prior to the conflict, Gaza had nearly universal vaccination coverage, which has now fallen to just over 80%. The re-emergence of polio in such a context underlines the importance of maintaining vaccination programs, particularly in war-torn regions. Experts have indicated that the ongoing evacuation orders complicate efforts to reach children for vaccination, as families are forced to move frequently, making it difficult for medical teams to administer vaccines effectively.
