Baby paralysed in first polio case in Gaza in 25 years, WHO says

Charities in Gaza say spread of the virus is a direct result of repeated displacements and evacuation orders

Gaza had not seen a recorded case of polio in 25 years, but vaccinations have plunged since the start of Israel's war in Gaza.

A 10-month old baby has been left paralysed by the first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in more than 25 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

In July, the WHO issued a warning on the disease in the war-torn area, saying children there would become infected if proper preventative measures were not urgently taken.

Poliomyelitis, more commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious disease which invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis within a matter of hours. It can also be fatal in extreme cases.

Anyone can become infected with the virus, though it mainly affects children under the age of five.

The virus is transmitted via droplets or aerosols from the throat and by faecal contamination of hands, utensils, food and water. It spreads rapidly, particularly in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation systems.

Worldwide, polio cases have declined by 99% since 1988 due to mass vaccination campaigns and efforts to eradicate it.

Gaza had not seen a recorded case in 25 years, but vaccinations have plunged since the start of   Israel's war in Gaza.

'If this spreads more and more — and there is a high risk of it spreading more and more in Gaza due to displacement and the repeated evacuation orders — then the whole area, the whole region will be at risk.' Picture: AP/Abdel Kareem Hana

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Riham Jafari, communications and advocacy coordinator for ActionAid Palestine, whose work on the ground is being supported ActionAid Ireland, said the spread of the virus in Gaza is a direct result of repeated displacements and evacuation orders, a severe shortage of fuel and other vital supplies, and an “environmental crisis” caused by the “total destruction” of Gaza’s sewage system.

“If this spreads more and more — and there is a high risk of it spreading more and more in Gaza due to displacement and the repeated evacuation orders — then the whole area, the whole region will be at risk,” she said.

Ms Jafari said, at present, health and aid workers were often working without refrigerators and other equipment needed to safely store vaccines.

She said displacements and repeated evacuation orders in the besieged territory were delaying the vaccination drive and overall humanitarian response and “increasing the suffering of the people”.

“There needs to be a securing of the safety of medical staff, the children who are going to receive vaccines, and their parents.

“This campaign of vaccinating the children, the target groups cannot be secured under continuous bombing, under the lack of a ceasefire," she said.

“This health crisis and this health risk can be overcome if there is a ceasefire."