Gaza's First Polio Case in 25 Years Sparks Urgent Vaccination Campaign

Health authorities in Gaza confirmed the first polio case in 25 years. In response, the UN and Palestinian health authorities launched a vaccination campaign for 640,000 children, with Israel and Hamas agreeing to pauses in fighting. Poor sanitation and reduced immunization rates contribute to the outbreak's risk.

Health authorities in the Gaza Strip have confirmed the first polio case in the Palestinian enclave in 25 years, identified in August. In response, the United Nations, working closely with Palestinian health authorities, began a large-scale vaccination campaign targeting approximately 640,000 children. Both Israel and Hamas have agreed to brief pauses in their ongoing 11-month conflict to facilitate the vaccination program.

The infection originated from the type 2 vaccine-derived polio virus, which has been detected in wastewater in developed countries. In July, six sewage samples taken from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah tested positive for the virus. Genetic sequencing suggests that the strain resembles a variant found in Egypt, potentially introduced from September 2023, according to the WHO.

The drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, exacerbated by the closure of many hospitals due to Israeli strikes and fuel restrictions, has allowed for the disease's resurgence. The first phase of the vaccination campaign commenced on Sunday in central Gaza, with planned pauses in fighting to enable immunization in southern and northern Gaza. Aid workers emphasize that a successful rollout requires at least 95% coverage, crucial for controlling the further spread of polio within Gaza and beyond, particularly given the region's deteriorating sanitary conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)