The disease was diagnosed in a 10-month-old baby who had not been vaccinated, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Published on 16/08/2024 22:12
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The Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority announced on Friday, August 16, that a first case of polio has been confirmed in Gaza. This highly contagious disease, which invades the nervous system and can lead to irreversible paralysis in just hours according to the Pasteur Institute, was diagnosed in a “ten-month-old baby who had not been vaccinated” in Deir al-Balah, in the center of the overcrowded Palestinian territory, the ministry specified.
This announcement comes as the UN Secretary-General joined the call from WHO and UNICEF, which are requesting “seven-day humanitarian pauses” in the fighting in Gaza to allow for two vaccination campaigns against this disease, targeting more than 640,000 children under 10 in the coming weeks.
“I urge all parties to immediately provide concrete assurances guaranteeing humanitarian pauses for the vaccination campaign”, stated Antonio Guterres to the press, as the virus has been detected in wastewater samples in the Gaza Strip. “It is impossible to conduct a polio vaccination campaign in the midst of war”, he emphasized. “A polio pause is necessary”.
These two vaccination campaigns “should be launched at the end of August and in September 2024 throughout the Gaza Strip to prevent the spread of the variant currently circulating”, known as cVDPV2, the two agencies specified in a statement. The poliovirus was detected in July in wastewater samples collected in late June in Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, the WHO and UNICEF reminded. The UN emphasizes that vaccination coverage must be at least 95% at each vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of the disease, “given that health, water, and sanitation systems are severely disrupted in the Gaza Strip”.
There is no treatment for polio. However, hygiene measures and vaccination can protect children from this disease, specified the Pasteur Institute. Polio is transmitted through contact between individuals and occurs “mainly via the fecal-oral route, particularly through contaminated water, aerosols, or food contaminated by feces”, the Institute continued.
Polio Resurgence in Gaza: Implications for Public Health and Future Vaccination Strategies
The recent confirmation of a polio case in Gaza, particularly affecting an unvaccinated infant, highlights a critical public health challenge in the region. As the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported, the highly contagious nature of the disease raises alarms, especially given the ongoing humanitarian crisis. With over 640,000 children at risk, the United Nations, alongside WHO and UNICEF, is advocating for urgent humanitarian pauses to facilitate vaccination campaigns.
Given that the poliovirus has been detected in wastewater in Gaza, the situation necessitates a prompt and effective response. The upcoming vaccination drives planned for late August and September are crucial for controlling the spread of the current circulating variant known as cVDPV2. Health officials emphasize that achieving a vaccination coverage of at least 95% is vital to prevent further outbreaks. This requires not only strategic planning but also ensuring safe access to healthcare amid a conflict-laden environment.
The implications of this situation are twofold: first, there is an urgent need for improved public health infrastructure in Gaza, which faces severe disruptions due to ongoing tensions. Secondly, the broader global health community must consider the lessons from this outbreak. Historical trends have shown that conflicts significantly impact vaccination efforts and public health outcomes. Hence, developing agile vaccination strategies that can be adapted during crises could prove essential in curbing diseases like polio, which are preventable but can resurge in the absence of adequate immunization efforts.
As the response unfolds, it will be critical to examine how international organizations can ensure that health initiatives are prioritized in conflict zones. Enhanced cooperation between governments, health agencies, and local organizations will be essential in overcoming barriers and safeguarding future generations against preventable diseases.