Gaza Sees First Case of Polio in 25 Years, Baby Paralyzed

by TMO Editorial

A 10-month-old baby has become partially paralyzed from polio after contracting Polio in Gaza’s first case in 25 years.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the affected infant lost movement in his lower left leg, but is in a stable condition.

The type 2 poliovirus was detected in samples collected from the territory’s wastewater in June but this is the first case in the area in 25 years, the UN said.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of WHO, said he is “gravely concerned.” Efforts to launch a vaccination program are being discussed but with the obstacles in place by Israel seems unlikely to reach civilians.

In order to try to contain the spread of the disease, the UN is pressing for a week-long pause in fighting to carry out a polio vaccination campaign for more than 640,000 children under the age of 10.

UN Secretary General António Guterres said “hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza [are] at risk”.

He said that for the campaign to be successful, transport of vaccines and required equipment would need to be facilitated, as well as the entry of polio experts into Gaza.

Poliovirus is most often spread through sewage and contaminated water, it is highly infectious.

It can cause disfigurement and paralysis and is potentially fatal. It mainly affects children under the age of five.

At this time Gaza has little to no operating hospitals left. Those still left standing lack the capacity and and utilities needed to support patients.

More than 40,265 people have been reportedly killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, the number is expected to be higher.

The UN Human Rights Office says most of those killed were women and children.