The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that a 10-month-old baby in conflict-ridden Gaza has been paralysed by the type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years with UN agencies appealing for urgent vaccinations of every baby, Reuters reports.

“Polio does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli children,” the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said in a post on X.

“Delaying a humanitarian pause will increase the risk of spread among children,” Philippe Lazzarini added.

The baby, who has lost movement in his lower left leg, is currently in stable condition, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

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