Gaza City, July 19, 2024 – The polio virus has been detected in sewage samples in Gaza,
health authorities announced Thursday, sparking fears of a potential health disaster in the
war-torn territory.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health and the Israeli Health Ministry, poliovirus type 2
was found in sewage samples tested in an Israeli laboratory. The virus can cause
deformities and paralysis, and its resurgence in Gaza has raised concerns about a potential
health crisis.
The detection of polio in Gaza is the latest blow to a territory already reeling from months of
conflict, which has left hundreds of thousands of people displaced and basic
infrastructure in ruins. Piles of garbage and human waste are accumulating in the streets,
and sewage is flowing through displacement camps, creating a breeding ground for
disease.
Doctors in Gaza report a surge in diseases spread by flies and mosquitoes, including
scabies, chicken pox, skin rashes, and lice. The World Health Organization has warned
ofthe risk of cholera and other epidemics, and aid agencies are struggling to respond to the
crisis.
The situation in Gaza is dire, War Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Qumsan, a physician at Gaza’s
main hospital. “We are seeing a surge in diseases that were once under control, and the
detection of polio is a major concern. We urgently need international assistance to address
this crisis.
The conflict in Gaza has also had a devastating impact on the environment, with waste
treatment stations shut down due to a lack of fuel. The resulting accumulation of waste
has created a health hazard, with flies and mosquitoes breeding in the garbage.
The war has had a catastrophic impact on our infrastructure and our people,said Gaza City
Mayor, Yahya al-Sarraj. We need immediate assistance to address this crisis and prevent a
health disaster.
The international community has been slow to respond to the crisis in Gaza, but aid
agencies are now scrambling to provide assistance. The World Health Organization has
pledged to send vaccines and medical supplies to Gaza, and other agencies are working to
provide emergency sanitation services.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the risk of disease outbreaks and environmental
disasters grows, posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of civilians in the
territory. The detection of polio in Gaza is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war
on public health and the environment.
