A baby in Gaza has been diagnosed with a strain of polio that experts believe is linked to failures in the eradication campaign against the disease. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the first case of polio in the territory in 30 years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of vaccination efforts.
According to experts, the strain of polio found in the baby is genetically linked to the weakened polio virus used in vaccines. This suggests that the virus may have mutated in the environment due to low vaccination rates, allowing it to regain strength and cause infection.
The World Health Organization has warned that the situation in Gaza is critical and that urgent action is needed to prevent a potential outbreak of polio. The organization has called for increased vaccination efforts to protect children from the disease.
Polio is a highly contagious virus that mainly affects children under the age of five. It can cause paralysis and, in some cases, be fatal. The disease was on the brink of eradication worldwide, with only a few cases reported each year, before the recent resurgence in Gaza.
Health officials in Gaza have launched a vaccination campaign in response to the case, aiming to reach all children under the age of five. The campaign includes doses of the oral polio vaccine, which is effective in preventing the disease and stopping its spread.
The case of polio in Gaza highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the resurgence of preventable diseases. Health authorities are urging parents to ensure their children are up to date on their vaccinations to protect them from potentially deadly infections.
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