Gaza declares polio epidemic 25 years after eradication

Gaza declares a polio epidemic 25 years post-eradication due to war-related infrastructure damage. The outbreak threatens neighboring regions and Israel, with the WHO sending over a million vaccines.

The Gaza Strip has declared a polio epidemic, marking a distressing turn of events 25 years after the disease was eradicated in the region. The outbreak has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Israel, which has severely damaged sewage infrastructure and disrupted waste collection services.

With the war causing thousands of tonnes of rubbish to pile up and widespread displacement of Gaza’s population, the conditions have become ripe for the resurgence of infectious diseases. The Health Ministry of Gaza has warned that the epidemic poses a significant health threat not only to Gaza’s residents but also to neighboring countries and Israel, and it represents a setback to the global effort to eradicate polio.

Dr. Medhat Abbas, director general of Al Shifa Medical Complex, described the dire situation, noting that streets are inundated with sewage and basic sanitation is non-existent. The polio virus, which attacks the nerves in the spinal cord and leads to paralysis, has been further complicated by the spread of skin diseases due to overcrowded hospitals and clinics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to send over a million vaccines to Gaza to counteract the outbreak and protect children from the disease.

Despite efforts by the WHO and the UN Children’s Fund to establish a response committee, Dr. Abbas indicated that combating the epidemic remains challenging as long as borders stay closed. Water supplies, crucial for sanitation and health, have been critically affected, with only one of Gaza’s three pipelines operating at reduced capacity since the war began on October 7.