Polio Emerges Amidst Gaza’s War

In all of history, the relation between pandemics and war is one that has seen mutual strengthening. The wars have frequently created conditions that allowed pandemics to arise and take hold and spread. 

The entwining of diseases and war has left its mark on the human race, from battles of ancient times to current conflicts.

In recent times, the current wars in Gaza have emphasized the significance of the relationship between pandemics and war. 

The return of pandemics like polio is an indication that war plays an important role in spreading pandemics and is threatening not only the local population but also worldwide public health.

The Impact of War on Disease

Beginning with the Peloponnesian War through the Crusades throughout the Age of Exploration and colonization and colonization, wars have always been associated with the spread of deadly diseases, which have accelerated their destructive impacts on the societies they affect.

The 20th Century, which was characterized with two World Wars, further highlighted the destructive interplay. 

 1918 pandemic of influenza

World War I was followed by the 1918 pandemic of influenza commonly referred to as the Spanish flu, that infected three-quarters of the population worldwide and caused the loss of fifty million people. The move of troops, the overcrowded military camps, as well as its global scope of conflict contributed to its rapid spreading of. 

Additionally, World War II saw significant outbreaks of infectious diseases like typhus, tuberculosis, malaria which were exacerbated by the destruction of infrastructure, the displacement of millions of people, and the dearth of medical equipment. The aftermath of conflict, which saw millions of people living in camps for refugees and devastated cities, added to the health problems..

The second half of the 20th century saw the connection between pandemics and war. It was during the Vietnam War that saw a rise in the incidence of diseases such as dengue fever and polio which was exacerbated by the use of chemical defoliants as well as degradation of our natural ecosystem. 

In the course of the Gulf War and subsequent conflicts in the Middle East have also been linked to epidemics of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.

Today, we are witnessing the spread of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has for a long time been battling conflict and infectious illnesses. 

The current outbreak is further aggravated by the deplorable conditions of the cobalt mines where miners are living in cramped and unsanitary conditions. 

Instability has also forced millions of people to refugee camps that have little healthcare facilities, allowing Mpox to spread outside of endemic zones.

Polio Emerges in Gaza

The month of August 2024 was when Gaza reported in August 2024 the confirmation of the first polio-related case in the past 25 years. Polio, a deadly disease that was nearly eradicated across the globe and is resurfacing as a danger in Gaza. 

Many years of violence blockades, blockades, as well as the restriction of access to vital services that have led to the complete destruction of the health system as a result of the current Israeli military operation in Gaza have destroyed Gaza’s health infrastructure. 

The few hospitals operating are overcrowded, medical supplies are in short supply and the rate of vaccination has fallen. The ongoing war has created conditions ideal for the spreading of several infectious diseases, such as the hepatitis virus, polio and waterborne illness.

The blockade and the repeated bombings prevented vaccination campaigns to reach all children, making huge sections of the population in danger. 

In terms of sanitation, the infrastructure for this has been severely damaged as the population is deprived of access to clean water as well as proper waste disposal, raising the risk of transmission.

The Growing Fear from Health Professionals

The growing fear from health professionals that the polio virus found in Gaza could evolve into a new form similar to Mpox especially when vaccination efforts continue to fail. 

This new strain of polio could eventually spread beyond the borders of Gaza, undoing decades of advancements in fighting the disease. The situation is made more difficult due to the widespread spread of other illnesses in Gaza like Hepatitis, which can be spread by poor sanitation and crowded living conditions. 

This combination has created an outbreak of public health which could affect not only Gaza but the whole region and even the world at large.

Efforts to Prevent the Spread of Polio in Gaza

Non-governmental international organizations were able to procure Gaza 1.2 million vaccinations against polio on August 27 and are now mobilizing funds to run vaccination campaigns over the three-day pause in humanitarian aid that will end on the day of.

In the Anera clinics located in crowded areas where homeless families live, health workers are conducting awareness programs from the moment the first case of polio was reported in Gaza on the 16th of August 2024. Our polio awareness workshops include topics on hygiene for hand hygiene.

 Our most important message is the importance of vaccinating against the disease polio.

The Anera’s Gaza group is assisting one of our clinics, mobile vaccination teams who will be vaccinating kids under the age of 10.

The Urgent Need for Action in Gaza

What is needed most in Gaza is an end to the war. Without a ceasefire, difficulties in logistics and security continue to hinder the distribution of vaccines and also the delivery of humanitarian aid, potentially creating a massive epidemic of public health.

The current situation in Gaza is part of a larger pattern of conflict and war that contribute to the spread and development of infectious illnesses. 

The lack of healthcare, displacement and inadequate living conditions create a situation in which diseases thrive and develop, leading to new variations and world-wide pandemics. 

While the world fights COVID-19, the emergence of health risks in conflict zones emphasize the need for international focus, as outbreaks in one area could quickly turn into global crises, especially when resistant strains.

End Note

The lessons are obvious: pandemics and war are inextricably linked and the consequences of ignoring health issues in conflict zones could be devastating. 

To address these issues, we need an integrated international response, which goes far beyond the immediate human aid, but also includes long-term investment in health infrastructure vaccine campaigns, as well as peace-building efforts.

Summary

Article Name

How Conflict Zones Fuel Pandemics

Description

Learn how conflict zones create conditions that fuel pandemics, impacting public health and complicating responses to infectious disease outbreaks.

Author

Fatima

Publisher Name

MOHID

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