Gaza Strip Declared As "Polio Epidemic Area" By Health Ministry Amidst Worsening Health Crisis

A severe health disaster looms over the Gaza Strip after the Gaza Health Ministry detected the component poliovirus type 2 in the sample sewage water flowing between camps of displaced Palestinians.

Gaza strip is experiencing a severe humanitarian and health crisis as Israel continues its offensive on the Palestinian territory. As the densely-populated region enters the 10^th month of war, the Gaza Health Ministry has declared a polio epidemic across the Palestinian enclave, as per reports by media. Israel's devastating offensive on the strip has lead to the destruction of the sewage and water system leading to a sewage spillage in the camps where displaced Palestinians are currently sheltered.

According to a report from last week, the health ministry in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had detected component poliovirus type 2 in the sample sewage water. The sewage collects and flows between the tents of the people who have been displaced, increasing the risk of contact and a possible outbreak.

Gaza Health Ministry Calls It "A Setback For Polio Eradication Programme"

The Health Ministry of Gaza said in a statement via Telegram that, the situation in the Gaza Strip constitutes a serious health threat to the people of Gaza and to other neighboring countries. They have also termed this as a, "Setback to the global polio eradication programme." The ministry has called for an "immediate intervention to end the offensive on Gaza and find radical solutions" to the looming epidemic which may not be very far away considering the circumstances. The ministry also stressed on the lack of potable water, lack of personal hygiene, damaged sewage networks and the tonnes of solid waste and rubbish that has accumulated in the regions due to the assault.

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According to reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO), they are due to send more than one million polio vaccines to the Gaza Strip which is to be administered over the coming weeks. This step is taken to prevent the children from polio infection.

Declining Humanitarian Conditions In The Gaza Strip

According to reports from the United Nations (UN), declining humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip has also lead to the outbreak of other diseases like Hepatitis A, dysentery, gastroenteritis and unknown skin diseases in children. The cause of these diseases has been cited as unsanitary conditions, lack of healthcare, lack of clean water, lack food and nutrition. All of these have become impossible due to little to no humanitarian aid in the region. If such conditions continue to prevail, many more diseases may crop up including diseases caused due to starvation and malnutrition.

As per the data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the Israeli offensive has lead to the death of 39,324 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip with at least 90,830 people injured. In the region of occupied West Bank, at least 592 people have been killed in airstrikes and have left more than 5,350 people injured.