Absence of ceasefire threatens battle against polio in Gaza, WHO warns

The WHO says Israel’s continuing assault is presenting multiple hurdles to its campaign against polio in Gaza.

While no clinical cases have been diagnosed so far, polio was detected in sewage in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis areas, WHO’s regional director for polio eradication Hamid Jafari said in a news conference on Wednesday.

“We need a ceasefire, even a temporary ceasefire to successfully undertake these campaigns. Otherwise, we risk the virus spreading further, including across borders,” said WHO’s Hanan Balkhy.

Children under five are most at risk from the viral disease, especially infants under two, since normal vaccination campaigns have been disrupted by the conflict.