Image Credits: Al Arabiya
The detection of poliovirus in the sewage water of the densely populated Gaza Strip has raised alarms over a looming public health crisis, placing thousands of Palestinians at risk. The Ministry of Health in Gaza, in coordination with UNICEF, identified “component poliovirus type 2” in wastewater samples, signalling the potential for a widespread outbreak of the highly infectious disease known for causing paralysis.
The virus’s presence in sewage threatens to contaminate scarce drinking water supplies, exacerbating the already dire living conditions in the Strip.
The central Gaza city of Deir el-Balah, home to approximately 700,000 displaced individuals, faces an imminent health catastrophe. Authorities predict that untreated wastewater will soon flood the streets, increasing the spread of diseases. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from Deir el-Balah, highlighting the grim medical reality as the Israeli military’s escalation of attacks on essential infrastructure, including water wells and sanitation facilities, has created a fertile environment for disease proliferation.
Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive care physician, described the situation as a “ticking time bomb.” The lack of vaccinations over the past nine months further compounds the crisis, leaving both children and adults vulnerable.
The potential spread of poliovirus among healthcare workers could be catastrophic for Gaza’s healthcare system, already debilitated by ongoing conflicts. Dr. Haj-Hassan stressed that the healthcare system has been “devastated by direct attacks, the abduction of medical staff, and the killing of healthcare workers.”
In response, the Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of “component poliovirus type 2” and instructed the vaccination of all troops in and around Gaza, recommending boosters for those previously vaccinated. This discovery follows a report by a European activist group revealing that the Gaza Strip is overwhelmed by human waste and war debris, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention.