Polio epidemic hits Gaza Strip

Admin I Friday, August 02, 2024

 

GAZA – The Gaza Ministry of Health has declared the Gaza Strip a polio epidemic zone.

The Ministry made the declaration following the discovery of the polio-causing virus type CVPV2 in the sewage water in Khan Younis and the central governorates has occurred.

“The Ministry of Health declares the Gaza Strip a polio epidemic zone”, the Ministry said attributing the pandemic to horrible destruction of the Gaza Strip by Israeli aggression which has turned Gaza into a cemetery, with dead bodies almost everywhere.

Besides, there are no drinkable water, while existing sewage systems have either collapsed or destroyed by the Israeli Occupation Forces.

“This poses a health threat to the residents of the Gaza Strip and neighboring countries and is a setback for the global polio eradication program”, the Ministry added.

The Ministry of Health warns that the epidemic control program launched by the ministry in partnership with relevant international institutions, especially UNICEF and the World Health Organization, will not be sufficient unless there is immediate intervention to end the aggression and find radical solutions to the problem of lack of safe drinking water, personal hygiene means like cleaners and disinfectants, repair of sewage networks, and removal of tons of garbage and solid waste.