Polio Resurfaces in Gaza as UN Urges Cease-fire for Vaccinations
The Gaza Strip has reported its first polio case in 25 years, raising alarms as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas hinders essential health services. The Palestinian Authority’s health ministry confirmed that an unvaccinated 10-month-old from central Gaza contracted the disease, which was confirmed through testing in Jordan. This development follows the discovery of type 2 poliovirus in Gaza’s wastewater in June.
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The United Nations and health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, have been pushing for humanitarian pauses in the conflict to vaccinate more than 640,000 children in Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgency of halting fighting to allow for two rounds of vaccination, scheduled for late August and September. He urged all parties to observe seven-day cease-fires during each phase of the campaign, saying, “Humanitarian pauses are vital for the lifesaving vaccines to reach all children in need.”
Hamas has expressed its support for the UN’s call for a truce to ensure the delivery of the polio vaccine, as well as much-needed food and medicine for Gaza’s over two million residents. Polio is highly contagious and primarily affects children under five, potentially causing paralysis or death. The conflict has reduced Gaza’s vaccination coverage from 99% to 86%, according to UN statistics, severely threatening the region’s public health.
