Gaza Faces Polio Resurgence Amid Ongoing Conflict and Health Crisis
Gaza reports first polio case in over two decades, sparking urgent calls for ceasefire to enable vaccination campaigns. UN warns of spreading health crisis due to war-damaged infrastructure and deteriorating living conditions.
The Gaza Strip is grappling with a severe public health emergency as local health officials confirm the first case of polio in more than 20 years. This alarming development, announced on August 16, 2024, is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict that has severely damaged essential infrastructure.
António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire to facilitate vaccination efforts. He stated, > "It's impossible to conduct a polio vaccination campaign amid a raging war. Let's be clear: The ultimate vaccine for polio in Gaza is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire."
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the polio vaccination rate in Gaza has dropped from 99% to 86% since the conflict began in October 2023. This decline in immunization coverage has created conditions conducive to the spread of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, which was detected in sewage samples from southern and central Gaza in July 2024.
The current situation in Gaza is particularly concerning due to the following factors:
- Contaminated water sources
- Inadequate sanitation facilities
- Overcrowding in displacement areas
- Limited access to healthcare services
These conditions have led to a surge in various illnesses, including respiratory infections, diarrhea, and hepatitis A.
To address this crisis, the WHO is planning two rounds of mass vaccination campaigns targeting over 640,000 children. The first round is scheduled for late August 2024, with the second following in September. However, the success of these campaigns hinges on securing humanitarian pauses in the conflict.
"These pauses in fighting would allow children and families to safely reach health facilities and community outreach workers to get to children who cannot access health facilities for polio vaccination."
The reemergence of polio in Gaza is particularly significant given the global efforts to eradicate the disease. Since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, worldwide polio cases have decreased by over 99%. The last case of wild poliovirus in the Americas was reported in 1991, and the United States has been polio-free since 1979.
The current situation in Gaza underscores the fragility of public health achievements in conflict zones. It also highlights the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
As the international community works to address this crisis, it's crucial to remember that the threat of polio extends beyond Gaza's borders. Urgent action is needed to prevent further spread and protect vulnerable populations in the region and beyond.
