Polio, caused by an orally transmitted virus, has always been recognized as a catastrophic disease, which mainly affects children, with paralysis and death. Today it is more of a story in much of the world, but still a threat.
We already have all the tools to eradicate the disease, including two great vaccines. Known as Salk and Sabin, they are easy to produce and apply, especially Sabin. This oral vaccine inspired the adoption of the character Zé Gotinha, a trademark of vaccination campaigns across Brazil.
Why, then, has it not yet been eradicated? Its transmission is still perennial (epidemiologists use the term endemic) only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially around the border between the two countries, which has suffered from conflicts for a long time. Isolated cases or outbreaks also occur in several countries in Africa, in addition to Yemen, Tajikistan and Ukraine.
Although poverty and lack of structure have a significant impact on transmission, the overlap between conflict regions and places where cases of the disease still occur is noteworthy.
Another example is cholera, caused by bacteria transmitted by contaminated water or food, considered a barometer to detect poor sanitation conditions. This is what happened in Syria, where the disease mainly killed children from regions involved in the civil war, with most cases in the middle of the last decade.
One-off actions also had great repercussions, such as the hunt for bin Laden. Agents disguised as health workers collected DNA samples from babies in eastern Pakistan during a hepatitis B vaccination campaign in order to locate bin Laden’s relatives, based on the DNA of his deceased sister in the US. This provoked retaliation against local health professionals with increased hesitancy and distrust of vaccination, with a significant drop in adherence to immunizations.
That is why, in 2016, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the protection of health services in conflict areas as a humanitarian law, disregarding which can be defined as a crime. “Even wars have to follow rules,” recalled then-Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
What will happen to Covid-19 with the war in Ukraine? The chaos will have devastating consequences for the health system, with a likely stoppage of vaccinations. When running for their lives is the only option, all other restrictive measures, such as the use of masks and social distancing, become practically impossible, given the basic needs of the immense migratory mass.
Refugee camps must be hotspots for transmission of both the coronavirus and other preventable germs. This adds to the complexity of humanitarian aid actions, as it is not enough to offer shelter and supplies. Disease prevention strategies need to be part of it.
Challenges multiply with fake news. In Afghanistan, it was even propagated that women would be sterile if they received vaccines. With Covid-19, conspiracy theories abound, even in places with well-planned resources, infrastructure and programs. What to expect in regions with refugees, in the midst of information warfare provoked by conflicts?
The challenges are enormous.
Although, historically, the number of conflicts has decreased, there is no prospect that they will end. It remains to continue creating rules and emergency plans to face infectious diseases in regions of armed conflict.
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
