The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, said that the Israeli occupation is involved in the spread of the polio virus as it prevents the introduction of the necessary vaccinations and equipment required to solve the sewage pool crisis.

Abu Safiya explained that the occupation also deliberately does not bring in potable water and healthy and clean foods, which creates a fertile environment for the spread of this virus.

He pointed out that the occupation deprived the children of the Gaza Strip of 4 periodic vaccinations, explaining at the same time that the polio virus infects those under five years old and its incubation period extends to 35 days.

He touched on the presence of the hepatitis C virus inside shelter centers in Gaza, in addition to hundreds of cases of intestinal infection that arrive around the clock at hospitals and health centers in Gaza.

Abu Safiya stressed that the war on Gaza has brought this virus back to the forefront, warning that it poses a threat to the Strip and the surrounding countries in light of the medical and humanitarian delegations that come to and leave Gaza, describing the matter as dangerous.

In this context, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital said that the occupation army announced its intention to vaccinate its soldiers in Gaza after the latter became a suitable environment for the spread of the virus, which also affects adults and various groups of society.

He revealed that this virus almost disappeared completely in 1988, and there was global talk about its complete eradication by the year 2026, expressing his regret that talk about its spread again.

It is noteworthy that there are 1.7 million Palestinians infected with infectious diseases as a result of displacement in the Gaza Strip, and more than 71 thousand cases of viral hepatitis infection, in addition to 3,500 children at risk of death due to immunodeficiency, according to the government media office in Gaza.

In turn, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that 67% of the water and sanitation system was destroyed in the Gaza Strip by the occupation during the current war.

Source: Al Jazeera