WHO 'extremely worried' about possible Gaza polio outbreak

The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, has raised serious concerns about a potential outbreak of the polio virus, describing it as a 'new health disaster' for the region. Recently, children have been seen lining up for clean water as the streets are inundated with sewage. The World Health Organization, or WHO, has expressed that it is 'extremely worried' about the possibility of polio spreading in Gaza after traces of the virus were detected in wastewater samples. Dr. Ayadil Saparbekov, who leads the WHO team in the Palestinian territories, informed reporters that a risk assessment is currently underway. In the meantime, health workers in Gaza are providing safety advice to the 2. 3 million residents. However, Dr. Saparbekov noted that it would be 'very difficult' for people to adhere to this guidance due to the breakdown of water and sanitation services. Traces of the polio virus, which is transmitted through fecal matter, were discovered in sewage samples collected from two different locations in Gaza about a month ago, indicating that the virus may be circulating in the community. Fortunately, there have been no reported cases of paralysis linked to the virus thus far. On Sunday, the Israeli military announced that it has begun vaccinating its soldiers as a precautionary measure. The WHO and UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, believe that a mass vaccination campaign may be necessary in Gaza. However, the ongoing delays in delivering aid and humanitarian supplies to the region, coupled with significant security risks for those moving around, pose major challenges to implementing an effective vaccination campaign. The Israeli military stated that it is collaborating with various organizations to provide vaccines to the Palestinian population in Gaza. Since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October, approximately 300,000 vaccines have been sent to the territory. Polio is caused by a virus that spreads easily through contact with the feces of an infected person or, less commonly, through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. The virus can lead to paralysis and, in severe cases, death. The WHO has reported that immunization rates in Gaza and the occupied West Bank were optimal prior to the conflict, with polio vaccine coverage estimated at 99% in 2022. However, this figure dropped to 89% last year, according to the latest data. The UN agency has highlighted that the 'decimation' of Gaza's health system, with only 16 out of 36 hospitals partially operational, along with issues such as lack of security, access obstructions, constant population displacement, shortages of medical supplies, poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation, have all contributed to decreased immunization rates and increased vulnerability to disease outbreaks. Dr. Saparbekov pointed out that many individuals are living in shelters with only one toilet available for 600 people, and they have limited access to safe drinking water. Last Thursday, Gaza's health ministry issued a warning about a 'health catastrophe' following the detection of polio in wastewater that was flowing between tents in displacement camps and inhabited areas. The WHO has emphasized that a ceasefire is crucial to facilitate an effective response to this health crisis. Eight public health professors from Israel echoed this sentiment, cautioning that the most vulnerable populations are Palestinian and Israeli infants who have not completed their vaccinations. They stated, 'We know what needs to be done. It must be done for the sake of all residents of the region. This is not about politics. This is about health and life.