The polio virus has been found in wastewater samples in the Gaza Strip. This was announced by both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. The discovery puts “thousands of people at risk of contracting polio.”
“The presence of polioviruses in sewage that accumulates and flows between tents in IDP camps and in populated areas due to destroyed infrastructure represents a new health disaster,” the ministry said in the Gaza Strip. The military offensive must therefore be stopped so that safe water can be brought to the Gaza Strip and wastewater treatment can be resumed.
Authorities want to ‘monitor and evaluate’
Israel’s Ministry of Health said it was “concerned about the presence of the virus in this region.” Authorities would “monitor and evaluate the necessary steps” to prevent a disease risk in Israel. Type 2 poliovirus was found in the wastewater samples.
The disease is caused by an acutely contagious virus that attacks the spinal cord and can cause paralysis in children. The polio virus is mainly spread through the feces of an infected person or is also ingested through contaminated water or food. It multiplies in the intestines. There is no cure, but there is a vaccination to prevent the spread.
Disease spread throughout the world until the 1950s
The disease was widespread around the world until a vaccine was discovered in the 1950s. After that, it took decades for polio to decline globally. By 1996, there were more than 70,000 cases in Africa alone.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
