The rare, deadly condition affecting children in Gaza

2025-08-25 12:00:14

Gaza is experiencing an unprecedented surge in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, with 110 diagnoses in the past three months compared to one or two annually in previous years.

The World Health Organisation and local medics attribute the rise in AFP, which causes muscle weakness and paralysis, to the destruction of Gaza's water treatment plants by Israel, leading to widespread water contamination.

Lab tests confirm the presence of enterovirus and Campylobacter jejuni, indicating water polluted by sewage, with Oxfam and MSF reporting significant damage to water infrastructure and restrictions on aid.

The outbreak, primarily affecting children under 15, has resulted in at least nine deaths, and critical treatments like Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange are unavailable in the besieged enclave.

While the Israeli military denies hindering medical aid and blames Hamas for infrastructure damage, humanitarian organisations and medics stress the urgent need for clean water and medical supplies to address the crisis.