10-month-old child in Gaza diagnosed with vaccine-derived poliovirus, marking the first case in 25 years.

10-month-old child in Gaza diagnosed with vaccine-derived poliovirus, marking the first case in 25 years. Aid groups ramp up vaccinations to avert polio outbreak, as virus detected in wastewater and three cases with suspected polio symptoms reported. Polio eradicated in Gaza 25 years ago, but vaccinations plunged after war began 10 months ago, with territory becoming breeding ground for virus. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in unsanitary tent camps lacking clean water or proper sewage disposal. Aid groups call for pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas to prevent polio outbreak, as confirmed cases and suspected ones rise, and virus detected in wastewater in six different locations. World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF request minimum seven-day pause for mass vaccination plan. Israeli military body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs and Hamas both express support for truce to facilitate vaccinations.

August 16, 2024
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