First Polio Case in 25 Years Confirmed in Gaza, Affecting 10-Month-Old Child

Aug 16, 2024, 07:06 PM

The first case of polio in 25 years has been confirmed in the Gaza Strip, affecting an unvaccinated 10-month-old child in Deir al-Balah. This development comes amid a public health emergency exacerbated by ongoing conflict and infrastructure challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) is involved in efforts to address the situation, with concerns that thousands of unvaccinated children could be at risk if immediate action is not taken. UN Chief Guterres emphasized the need for a massive, coordinated, and urgent effort to prevent and contain the spread of polio in the region. Environmental samples had previously detected the poliovirus in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, raising alarms about the potential spread of the disease. The Palestinian Health Ministry and other health officials are working to mitigate the outbreak, with stool samples from suspected cases sent for testing in Jordan.