The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to send over one million polio vaccines to Gaza in the coming weeks.
As per Reuters, this initiative comes after the discovery of polio virus traces in sewage samples from Gaza.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in an opinion piece for The Guardian, "While no cases of polio have been recorded yet, without immediate action, it is only a matter of time before it affects the thousands of children who have been left unprotected."
He noted that children under five, especially infants under two, are at high risk due to disrupted vaccination efforts caused by the prolonged conflict.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious virus that spreads through contaminated food and water, potentially causing paralysis.
Global vaccination efforts have significantly reduced polio cases by 99% since 1988, but continuous vigilance is needed to eradicate the disease completely.
In response to the detection of the virus, Israel's military plans to vaccinate soldiers stationed in Gaza.
Additionally, the United Nations (UN) reported a surge in other health issues in Gaza, including Hepatitis A, dysentery, and gastroenteritis, linked to poor sanitary conditions and sewage overflows.
