GAZA, (PIC)
The Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, said, “The factors for the spread of the polio virus are all present in northern Gaza Strip.”
He added, in a press statement on Sunday, that “all the existing factors help the spread of the polio virus in the absence of vaccinations. We are facing a health catastrophe.”
Two days ago, 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.”
He explained, “The occupation army also deliberately does not bring in potable water and healthy clean foods, which creates a fertile environment for the spread of this virus.”
Abu Safiya pointed out that “the occupation army deprived the children of the Gaza Strip of four 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 infections that arrive around the clock at hospitals and health centers in Gaza.”
Abu Safiya stressed that “the aggression 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”.
He pointed out that “this virus almost disappeared completely in 1988, and there was global talk about its complete eradication by the year 2026”, expressing his regret at the resumption of talk about its spread again.
According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, there are 1.7 million Palestinians infected with infectious diseases as a result of displacement in the Gaza Strip, and more than 71,000 cases of viral hepatitis infection, in addition to 3,500 children at risk of death due to immunodeficiency.
