After 300 days of conflict, the Gaza Strip now faces a new alarming threat: a polio outbreakThe disease, which had been eradicated in the region for years, has returned following the interruption of vaccinations due to the war and the collapse of the health system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Friday the presence of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in environmental samples from the cities of Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah. Although no cases of paralysis have been reported so far, the virus could spread rapidly due to the extreme conditions in Gaza.

Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Nassesr Hospital, reported that the virus was detected in samples of sewage waterindicating a potential spread of the virus in the community. “Recently, sewage samples were taken in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah and unfortunately, the virus was found,” explained Dr. Al-Farra.

The crisis is aggravated by the continued Israeli blockade and attacks, which have damaged health infrastructure and reduced access to basic services. According to Mercé Rocaspana, medical head of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) emergency unit, the population is exposed to multiple diseases due to the Lack of drinking water and poor sanitary conditions“We are now giving five liters of water a day to about 400,000 people, when the standard required is between 15 and 20 liters per person,” Roaspana added.

The collapse of the health infrastructure, with only 16 of the 36 hospitals and 45 of the 105 primary care centres operational, has drastically reduced vaccination coverage and has increased the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases. WHO has warned that a ceasefire is essential to allow the expansion of vaccination campaigns and mitigate the risk of further spread of poliovirus.

The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the youngest and most vulnerable facing a desperate struggle to survive while the international community continues to watch.