First case of polio detected in Gaza baby

In a concerning development, Palestinian health officials have reported the first case of polio in Gaza in over 25 years, involving a 10-month-old unvaccinated child from Deir al-Balah. The child exhibited symptoms of the disease, which were confirmed through tests conducted in Amman, Jordan. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that polio primarily affects children under five and is typically spread through contaminated water. The discovery of the poliovirus in wastewater samples from Gaza last month has raised alarms, prompting calls from the WHO and UNICEF for a seven-day pause in hostilities to facilitate a vaccination campaign targeting 640,000 children. The campaign is set to begin soon, with over 1.6 million doses of the oral vaccine against type 2 of the virus expected to arrive in Gaza by the end of August. The vaccination effort will consist of two rounds, with each child receiving two drops of the vaccine. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict that erupted on October 7, has created a public health emergency. Reports indicate that more than 40,000 people have died in the conflict, and health officials warn that without a cease-fire, efforts to control the spread of polio may be severely hampered. Additionally, three children in Gaza have been identified with acute flaccid paralysis, a common symptom of polio, and their samples have been sent for further testing. International mediators are currently engaged in discussions to establish a cease-fire, with hopes of reaching an agreement in the coming days. The urgency of the situation underscores the critical need for immediate action to protect public health in the region.