Polio Outbreak Declared in Gaza Strip

Nigeria has received its first 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from USAID, which is crucial given the country's 40 confirmed cases. Meanwhile, the WHO is preparing a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, where the first case in 25 years was confirmed, with health authorities aiming to vaccinate at least 90% of children amid ongoing conflict. Israel has agreed to three-day pauses in fighting to facilitate the vaccination effort, although challenges remain due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing violence. The situation is exacerbated by the detection of poliovirus in Gaza wastewater and declining vaccination rates, which dropped from 99% in 2022 to 89% in 2023. Health experts warn that poor sanitation conditions in Gaza make the spread of diseases like polio more likely. The WHO and UNICEF emphasize that without a cease-fire, vaccinating children in Gaza will be nearly impossible.