Gaza’s health ministry has declared a polio epidemic across the Palestinian enclave, blaming Israel’s devastating military offensive for the spread of the deadly virus.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry on Monday said the situation “poses a health threat to the residents of Gaza and neighbouring countries” – the latest sign of a worsening public health emergency caused by Israel’s genocidal war since October.
Calling the epidemic a “setback” to the global polio eradication programme, the ministry called for an “immediate intervention to end the [Israeli] aggression and find radical solutions” to lack of potable water and personal hygiene, damaged sewage networks and removal of tonnes of rubbish and solid waste.
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Poliomyelitis, which is spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, is a highly infectious virus that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. Cases of polio have declined by 99 percent worldwide since 1988, thanks to mass vaccination campaigns, and efforts continue to eradicate it everywhere.
Earlier this month, Gaza’s health ministry said it had detected “component poliovirus type 2” in coordination with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The virus was found in sewage “that collects and flows between the tents of the displaced,” said the ministry.
Already scarce supplies of drinking water in the densely-populated Gaza Strip are at risk of being contaminated by the virus.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry on Monday said the situation “poses a health threat to the residents of Gaza and neighbouring countries” – the latest sign of a worsening public health emergency caused by Israel’s genocidal war since October.
Calling the epidemic a “setback” to the global polio eradication programme, the ministry called for an “immediate intervention to end the [Israeli] aggression and find radical solutions” to lack of potable water and personal hygiene, damaged sewage networks and removal of tonnes of rubbish and solid waste.
Play Video
Video Duration 5 minutes 59 seconds
5:59
Now PlayingVideo Duration 05 minutes 59 seconds
05:59
War on Gaza: Palestinians have nowhere to go as Israel orders more evacuations
War on Gaza: Palestinians have nowhere to go as Israel orders more evacuations
NextVideo Duration 02 minutes 00 seconds
02:00
Syrian Refugee Buschra Al Zoubi Joins 37 Athletes in Paris Olympics, Highlights Refugee Challenges
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Video Duration 02 minutes 07 seconds
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Filipino fishermen in distress as oil from capsized tankers reaches their shores
Filipino fishermen in distress as oil from capsized tankers reaches their shores
Video Duration 09 minutes 39 seconds
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Polio epidemic declared in Gaza in latest sign of worsening health crisis
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Video Duration 06 minutes 22 seconds
06:22
Netanyahu may fancy an all-out war on Lebanon but Israel may not withstand it: Marwan Bishara
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Poliomyelitis, which is spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, is a highly infectious virus that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. Cases of polio have declined by 99 percent worldwide since 1988, thanks to mass vaccination campaigns, and efforts continue to eradicate it everywhere.
Earlier this month, Gaza’s health ministry said it had detected “component poliovirus type 2” in coordination with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The virus was found in sewage “that collects and flows between the tents of the displaced,” said the ministry.
Already scarce supplies of drinking water in the densely-populated Gaza Strip are at risk of being contaminated by the virus.
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