The United Nations, in partnership with Palestinian health authorities, has launched an initiative to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against the poliovirus, a disease that can lead to paralysis or even death in young ones.
After being eradicated in the region through a previous vaccination effort, the poliovirus resurfaced last month after 25 years, underscoring the breakdown of Gaza’s healthcare system due to prolonged Israeli airstrikes.
Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 40,700 Palestinians, including nearly 17,500 children, efforts are underway to combat the reemergence of polio.
Understanding Polio and its Return to Gaza
Polio is a highly contagious disease that spreads rapidly, particularly in unsanitary conditions, through contact with feces. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets, although less commonly.
While many individuals infected with the virus may not display symptoms, some may experience mild flu-like signs such as fever, fatigue, and headaches lasting up to 10 days. However, in severe cases, polio can lead to paralysis and even death by affecting the nervous system.
(Al Jazeera)
Israeli military actions have disrupted water and sanitation systems in Gaza, leading to the accumulation of waste near densely populated areas where displaced civilians reside.
Reports from the Government Media Office in Gaza indicate that Israeli forces have hindered waste removal from civilian zones by seizing control of disposal sites and targeting municipal workers and equipment responsible for waste management.
Abdel-Rahman Abu el-Jedian, a 10-month-old Palestinian infant, suffered partial paralysis after contracting polio, a preventable disease that he was unable to be vaccinated against due to repeated displacement caused by Israeli military operations.
For more information, visit www.aljazeera.com