Palestinian Ministry Of Health Records First Polio Case In Southern Gaza

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Ministry of Health on Friday (16/8) recorded the first case of the polio virus in the southern region of the war-torn Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the case was a 10-month-old newborn who had not received a polio vaccination in Deir al-Balah City.

Doctors suspect the newborn is showing symptoms similar to polio. The examination conducted in Amman confirmed that the baby contracted the type of polio virus from the vaccine (VDPV).

The Ministry of Health confirmed that it will hold a polio vaccination campaign in the next few days targeting children under the age of 10, noting that 1.2 million doses of type 2 polio vaccine have been secured in coordination with the UN Agency for Children (UNICEF) and efforts to secure 400,000 doses are underway.

He also stressed that the Gaza Strip is facing a health disaster as a result of the ongoing Israeli genocide aggression.

According to him, in addition to the clean water crisis and cleaning equipment as well as sanitation equipment, wastewater services and garbage buildup on the streets and around the evacuations have created an environment that supports the spread of many epidemics, including water-borne diseases, such as VDPV.

The Ministry of Health also urged the international community and international health organizations to immediately intervene to stop Israeli genocide aggression in the Gaza Strip and create conditions to save what might be done and immediately provide health services for Gazans.

He also asked all international agencies and organizations to act immediately to rebuild safe drinking water and wastewater systems, dispose of waste and medical waste, ensure access to fuel entry to pump clean freshwater and secure access to medical equipment and unconditional hygiene into the Gaza Strip.