10-Month-Old Palestinian Baby Stops Crawling as Polio Hits Gaza

In the turmoil of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a heartbreaking event has unfolded in the Gaza Strip. A 10-month-old baby named Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian has become the first confirmed case of polio in the region in 25 years, according to the World Health Organization.

Abdel-Rahman was an active child, full of energy, until a sudden change left him seemingly paralyzed. His mother, Nevine Abu El-Jedian, recalled how her son abruptly stopped crawling, moving, and standing, leaving the family in distress.

Health professionals in Gaza had long warned about the risk of a polio outbreak, a fear that has tragically materialized as the humanitarian crisis worsens due to heightened violence. Before the current conflict escalated, vaccination rates among children were relatively high. However, Abdel-Rahman was not vaccinated since he was born just before October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to an immediate Israeli offensive that forced many families, including his, to flee.

Pediatric vaccination campaigns effectively ceased as hospitals became targets during the escalating conflict. The World Health Organization emphasizes that for every confirmed polio case, there are potentially hundreds more individuals who may be infected without showing any symptoms. While most polio infections are mild and resolve within a week, paralysis caused by the disease is typically irreversible and can even be life-threatening if it affects respiratory muscles.

The conditions in which the Abu El-Jedian family now lives exacerbate their plight. They reside in a crowded tent camp, surrounded by piles of garbage and contaminated water, environments ripe for the spread of polio, which is transmitted through fecal matter. In response, the United Nations is preparing to launch a vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the potential outbreak and protecting families from the hardships faced by the Abu El-Jedians.

After fleeing their home in Beit Lahiya, the large family of ten has been displaced multiple times, ultimately settling in a tent in Deir al-Balah. Nevine expressed her heartache, stating that her son’s unvaccinated status stemmed from their relentless displacement and the dire living conditions. “We are sheltering here in the tent in such health conditions where there is no medication, no capabilities, no supplements,” she lamented.

The mother’s shock was palpable upon learning that Abdel-Rahman had contracted polio. The situation has drawn attention to the risk of further cases, as health reports indicate at least two other children exhibiting paralysis symptoms, with stool samples sent for testing in Jordan.

To vaccinate the majority of Gaza’s children under ten, a cease-fire is deemed essential by UNICEF spokesperson Ammar Ammar. The ongoing violence has made it increasingly difficult for health teams to reach these vulnerable populations, with many families displaced amidst fluctuating evacuation orders. “Without the polio pause or cease-fire, it would be impossible,” Ammar said, highlighting the dangers and challenges faced by vaccination teams.

The United Nations has set a target to vaccinate at least 95% of over 640,000 children in the region, with plans to start the vaccination process soon. UNICEF has already secured 1.2 million doses of the vaccine, with an additional 400,000 doses expected in the near future. Israel’s military authority responsible for civilian affairs has stated that it has facilitated the delivery of vaccine supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Ammar warned that failure to implement an effective vaccination campaign could lead to catastrophic outcomes, not only for children in Gaza but also for neighboring regions and countries.

Back in their tent, Nevine watched Abdel-Rahman, who lay still in a makeshift bassinet. Surrounded by her seven other children, she clung to hope. “I hope he returns to be like his siblings, sitting down and moving,” she expressed, filled with a mix of fear and longing for her child’s recovery.

Source: AP