Polio is spread through fecal matter, and Gazan's living in crowded camps face dealing with raw sewage running past their tents.

Polio vaccine campaign begins in Gaza as fighting to briefly pause 

Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, 11-month-old, who suffers from polio, is carried by his mother, center, at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

It comes after a baby contracted the first confirmed case of the disease in 25 years in the Palestinian territory. 

Israel agrees to limited pause in Gaza for polio vaccinations

Palestinian children cool off and fill up water jugs in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza

The UN is warning of a looming polio outbreak, as agencies rush to launch a mass vaccination campaign.

Baby paralysed by Gaza's first polio case in 25 years

Paul Alexander - who was left paralysed from the neck down after contracting polio at the age of six and spent 70 years inside an iron lung - has died aged 78.

'Man in the Iron Lung' dies after 70 years living in a tank

Anne Elizabeth Jenkins - known as Liz - died on 19 December 2022 aged 71. She was one of the last cases of polio in the North East. 

Polio victim who survived iron lung as a child dies aged 71

The NHS has set up 40 vaccination centres across the capital to help "counteract the threat" and protect as many children as possible.

Health bosses urge parents to vaccinate children against contagious polio

The UK Health Security Agency said it is carrying out checks on North Tyneside and in Newcastle and Gateshead, along with other sites across the country.

North East sewage sites to be tested for polio after virus found in London

Experts say no cases of polio have been reported and the risk remains low for those who are vaccinated.

Yorkshire sewage sites to be tested for polio after virus found in London

It comes as officials in London announced a rapid immunisation programme to stop the disease spreading there after the virus was found in sewage samples.

Jersey Health boss issues advice to parents after polio found in London

Almost a million children aged one to nine across London are to be offered a polio vaccine to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

Children in London to be offered polio vaccine in bid to stop outbreak

Traces of polio have been detected at a sewage facility in north east London, sparking a flurry of activity from health officials.

Polio discovered in the UK - what is it and is there a risk to the public?

A sample of the polio vaccine given to millions of children and adults 

Here are your questions answered about why health officials have launched the urgent vaccination programme.

All you need to know about London's rapid polio vaccination programme

Nearly a third of children in London had not had a booster by the age of five, data shows.

Thousands of children 'not fully protected' against polio, data shows

The UK Heath Security Agency said the virus, which can cause paralysis in unvaccinated people, was discovered at the London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.

Polio found in London sewage as officials urge residents to check vaccination

Those involved hope the gesture will also raise awareness of polio disease which largely affects children under the age of five.

Polio

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