Evidence of polio found in Gaza sewage samples
Health Ministry says findings ‘raise concerns about the presence of the virus’; professor urges ‘regional collaboration to stop the spread of the disease’
Reporter at The Times of Israel
Evidence of the poliovirus type 2 was found in sewage samples in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday.
The sample’s results corresponded to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), which were tested at an Israeli laboratory approved by the organization, according to the Ynet news site.
Polio is primarily spread through fecal-oral contamination, caused by drinking contaminated water, poor sanitation and poor sewage management.
It is a highly infectious disease, mostly affecting young children, that attacks the nervous system and can lead to spinal and respiratory paralysis, and in some cases death.
According to a statement by WHO, the war between Israel and Hamas has disrupted routine immunization programs in Gaza, and children are at increased risk for diseases such as polio.
The heat, accumulating garbage, sewage and lack of clean water are accelerating the spread of diseases, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Rising cases of acute hepatitis and various forms of diarrhea have also been reported.
The war started by Hamas’s October 7 attack has led to the destruction of large swaths of Gaza and the internal displacement of the vast majority of its population, resulting in what has been described as a humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians living in ruins and tent camps.
These conditions have led to outbreaks of various diseases, which have also impacted the well-being of the Israel Defense Forces troops fighting there.
The IDF will work in coordination with the Health Ministry, with the aim of ensuring the health of IDF soldiers and the public [in Gaza], and will continue to carry out inspections in the Gaza Strip,” the military said in response to the report.
“In addition, IDF soldiers were instructed to perform preventive actions and maintain personal hygiene,” the IDF said.
Two Israeli soldiers have died from fungal infections they contracted in Gaza, while more than a dozen soldiers suffered fungal infections believed to be caused by exposure to contaminated soil and poor sanitary conditions.
In January, the IDF said it facilitated the delivery of hundreds of thousands of polio, tuberculosis, rotavirus and MMR vaccines to the Strip, among other aid.
However, the risk of communicable disease outbreaks remains high due to the lack of clean water and sanitation facilities caused by the ongoing war.
The Health Ministry said the samples “raise concerns about the presence of the virus in this region.”
It added that Israeli health authorities were “monitoring and evaluating necessary steps to prevent the risk of disease in Israel.”
The IDF did not respond to requests for comment.
“Unfortunately, it is no surprise that there is polio in Gaza sewage,” said Prof. Nadav Davidovitch, director of the School of Public Health at Ben Gurion University and chair of the Health Policy Program at the Taub Center.
“Concerted effort is needed to see that everyone is vaccinated in Gaza, including Israeli soldiers, hostages, and especially the babies born in Gaza,” he said. “We must have regional collaboration in order to stop the spread of the disease.”
In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio. Since then, the incidence of polio worldwide has been reduced by 99%.
According to a UNRWA report issued on May 28, the organization “remains committed to addressing these urgent needs and improving the health and wellbeing” of Gazans. The health crisis “can only be mitigated with immediate and sustained healthcare interventions and support,” the report said.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this story.
