Gaza's children face rare illness outbreak amid water contamination crisis

Health officials in Gaza are grappling with a sudden and dangerous rise in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), a condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

According to medical records, 110 cases have been detected over the past three months, an extraordinary increase compared to the one or two instances typically reported each year.

Doctors and the World Health Organisation (WHO) say the surge stems from the collapse of Gaza’s water treatment system, much of which has been destroyed during 'Israeli' bombardments. With sewage contaminating drinking water, outbreaks of viruses and bacteria have become increasingly common. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of both enterovirus and Campylobacter jejuni, pathogens associated with water pollution.

Aid organisations, including Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders, have documented severe damage to Gaza’s water and sanitation networks, while also highlighting restrictions on humanitarian relief. The crisis has taken a heavy toll on children: most of the cases are under the age of 15, and at least nine have died in recent weeks.

Treatments that could slow or reverse the condition, such as Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange, are not available inside Gaza due to the blockade, leaving doctors unable to provide effective care.

The Israeli Occupation denies obstructing medical aid and has argued that Hamas is responsible for infrastructure damage. But humanitarian groups and health workers insist that without immediate access to clean water and urgent medical supplies, the outbreak could spiral further.