- Gaza's health ministry declared a polio epidemic
- Investigation and risk assessment are underway
- The WHO has sent over 1 million vaccines to Gaza
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that polio has likely infected people in the Gaza Strip, posing a setback to global eradication efforts.
Gaza’s health ministry declared a polio epidemic after detecting the virus in sewage, but no human cases have been announced.
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier says it’s likely that people have already been infected, as detecting cases can be challenging due to the virus’s asymptomatic nature.
An investigation and risk assessment are underway in Gaza.
Polio is highly infectious and can cause paralysis and death in young children. Despite a 99% decline in cases worldwide since 1988, the virus remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with over 30 countries at risk of outbreaks.
The WHO has sent over 1 million vaccines to Gaza to prevent infections, while Israel’s military is offering polio shots to its soldiers.
However, conflict and humanitarian access constraints have led to a drop in vaccination rates, putting more children at risk.
The situation highlights the challenges of maintaining global health progress amidst conflict and displacement.
