In a distressing development, health officials in Gaza have confirmed the return of polio after a 25-year absence. The poliovirus was identified in a 10-month-old child from Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza. The child had not been vaccinated against the disease, which is highly contagious and primarily affects children under five, potentially leading to paralysis and even death.
This resurgence comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, Gaza's two million residents have endured widespread devastation, including a severe shortage of essential resources such as food, medical supplies, and clean water. The Israeli bombardments have led to over 40,000 Palestinian casualties and displaced up to 90% of Gaza’s population. The recent confirmation of polio further exacerbates the dire situation.
UNICEF reported traces of the poliovirus in environmental samples collected from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah earlier in July. Stool samples from three children were subsequently tested in Jordan, confirming the presence of the virus. This alarming finding has underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive vaccination campaign to prevent a larger outbreak.
In response, UNICEF, alongside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and the World Health Organization, has called for a pause in hostilities to facilitate the vaccination efforts. Over one million doses of polio vaccine are available, with plans to launch two rounds of vaccinations targeting more than 640,000 children across Gaza within the coming months.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has endorsed the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing that “the ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” International mediators are pushing for a broader ceasefire agreement and a deal on hostages following high-stakes negotiations in Qatar, aiming to provide a temporary respite for these critical health interventions.
The Gaza Health Ministry has highlighted the pressing need for a sustainable solution beyond vaccination. They warned that the ongoing conflict has severely damaged Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, with 80% of hospitals out of service and those remaining operating at limited capacity. This damage, coupled with inadequate sanitation and waste management, poses additional health risks to the displaced populations living in makeshift camps.
The resurgence of polio in Gaza represents a grave threat not only to the local population but also to neighboring regions. The UN and humanitarian organizations stress the critical importance of addressing both the immediate and underlying issues to prevent further outbreaks and ensure the well-being of Gaza's children.
