A family drives along a mountain of garbage in Gaza. WHO identifies potentially dangerous polio virus in Gaza environment Peace and Security
Due to the catastrophic sanitation and healthcare situation in Gaza, the population is at risk of the spread of polio. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns about this.
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva that vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 had been detected in wastewater samples from six locations in the enclave. He stressed that at present the virus has only been isolated from the environment. To date, no one in Gaza has sought medical attention for paralysis or other symptoms of polio virus infection.
As part of the response, WHO is already working with local health authorities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) and partners to assess the extent of the spread of poliovirus.
60~h2>Gains Reversed
Wild poliovirus was eradicated from Gaza more than 25 years ago thanks to a comprehensive vaccination campaign.
However, nine months of war, massive population displacement, a collapsed health care system, poor water quality and deteriorating sanitation conditions have created an “ideal environment” for the spread of disease, of which polio is just one, Lindmeier noted.
According to him, 16 of 36 hospitals and 45 of 105 primary health care facilities are now partially functioning in Gaza. The WHO representative stressed that only a ceasefire would allow immunization efforts to be rapidly scaled up “to close the gaps created by the ongoing war.”
Oliver Rosenbauer of the WHO explained that the polio virus begin to circulate in areas where poor vaccination coverage allows a weakened form of the vaccine strain to mutate into a stronger variant that can cause paralysis.
White Flag
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported that Gazans continue to suffer “immensely”, with some seeking safe haven with white flags in their hands.
“Our Office has documented alleged unlawful killings of local police and aid workers, as well as the interception of essential supplies vital to the civilian population. Anarchy is spreading,” said Ajit Sungai, head of OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to renew funding for the agency. He also reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the 50 recommendations contained in the independent report prepared in response to Israeli allegations against UNRWA staff in Gaza.