Polio has been detected in samples taken from sewage in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, the Ministry of Health said.
The disease, which could cause paralysis, has returned more than 25 years after Palestine was declared polio free.
Half a million people live in tents in overcrowded “safe zones” such as Al Mawasi and hospitals are running out of space for thousands of displaced civilians seeking shelter.
The resulting accumulation of wastewater, sewage, rubbish and a lack of access to cleaning products amid the continuing Israeli siege has created an environment ripe for the spread of infection, humanitarian and health officials warned.
“The presence of the polio-causing virus in sewage water that accumulates and flows between the tents of displaced people and in residential areas due to the destruction of infrastructure represents a new health disaster,” the ministry said on Friday.
Thousands are at risk of contracting the disease, it added.
The ministry called for an end to the Israeli offensive to allow the delivery of clean water required to restart sewage treatment plants.
The International Committee of the Red Cross acknowledged receiving reports that polio had been detected in wastewater.
“We are aware of these reports and are gravely concerned about the potential spread this and other infectious water and airborne diseases, particularly combined with the weakened immunity of many in the Gaza Strip, and the current lack of healthcare facilities,” Hisham Mhanna, ICRC spokesman in Gaza, told The National.
The siege on the Palestinian enclave has prevented the entry of aid and sanitary products, making it difficult for civilians in the overpopulated war zone to maintain personal hygiene.
Many preventable infections and diseases are also spreading as medical supplies and medicine are scarce.
The Israeli Health Ministry said poliovirus type 2 had been found in sewage samples it had tested.
All municipal activities across the enclave have also ceased amid the violence, including operations at sewage treatment plants. All vaccination efforts have also been halted.
Despite Palestine normally being a “high coverage” country in terms of vaccinations, the war in Gaza has forced a reassessment concerning immunisation efforts, the UN said on Monday.
The world body warned about the risk of communicable diseases spreading since the conflict began in October.
It has reported cases such as meningitis, skin rashes, chickenpox and measles, including among children.
Gazans struggling with displacement, the destruction of medical centres and food scarcity now have to deal with the stench of rotting rubbish, which has become a breeding ground for disease-spreading pests.
Attacks on municipality workers and centres make it even more difficult to address the issue.
Authorities in Deir Al Balah, where thousands of displaced people have sought shelter, warned earlier this week that wastewater would soon flow on roads as sanitation plants had been shut down due to a lack of fuel.
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Overall head-to-head
Federer 6-1 Cilic
Head-to-head at Wimbledon
Federer 1-0 Cilic
Grand Slams titles
Federer 18-1 Cilic
Best Wimbledon performance
Federer: Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Cilic: Final (2017*)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
