The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarming concerns about the detection of polio in Gaza, warning that the ongoing Israeli aggression has created conditions ripe for a major health crisis. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that the conflict, fueled by Israel’s relentless military actions, is directly hampering efforts to prevent the spread of preventable diseases like polio.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, Tedros highlighted the grave human cost of the war on Gaza’s civilian population. “The detection of polio in Gaza is another reminder of the dire conditions the population is facing,” he wrote. He emphasized that the persistence of the conflict is making it nearly impossible to address public health threats effectively, putting thousands of innocent lives, particularly those of children, at risk.
Tedros’ warning follows a WHO announcement that there are “very likely” polio cases among Gaza’s population. The disease has already been detected in sewage samples, a clear indication that the virus is circulating and poses a significant threat to the enclave’s already vulnerable population. While no official cases of polio have been reported yet, the WHO chief stressed that without immediate intervention, it is only a matter of time before the virus begins paralyzing Gaza’s children.
Polio, a highly infectious virus that primarily affects young children, can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. The global community has made significant strides in eradicating the disease, with cases reduced by 99% since 1988 thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. However, Gaza’s current situation, exacerbated by Israeli military actions, threatens to reverse these gains.
To combat the looming crisis, the WHO is urgently dispatching over a million polio vaccines to Gaza. These vaccines are expected to be administered in the coming weeks in a race against time to protect Gaza’s children from the devastating effects of the disease. Yet, as Tedros pointed out, the ongoing conflict is a significant barrier to these life-saving efforts.
The international community must recognize that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, driven by Israeli aggression, is not just a political or military issue but also a severe public health emergency. The world cannot stand by as Gaza’s children face the dual threat of violence and disease. Immediate action is needed to end the conflict and allow for the proper delivery of essential health services to prevent a catastrophic outbreak.
