The Public Health Implications of the Detection of Polio Virus in Gazan Sewage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.170120265997Keywords:
Conflict zone, Gaza, Health system, Humanitarian crisis, Polio, SurveillanceAbstract
Recently, the poliovirus was detected in a sewage sample in Gaza in July 2024. Given the country's current state of civil war, this is a double-edged sword. This brings a wave of despair as thousands of residents are already war-torn and housed in temporary camps, where there are high chances of polio transmission that may cause paralysis and disability. In addition to the physical affliction, the situation has raised serious concerns about the mental health of the Gazan population. The re-emergence of polio after 25 years of being polio-free disrupts normalcy and exacerbates the state of both physical and mental health among the Gazan population.
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