A polio epidemic has broken out in the Gaza Strip, according to the health ministry. This was feared after the polio virus was found in sewage samples earlier this month. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) top official, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said last week that an outbreak was only a matter of time.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that can be spread from person-to-person. In a small number of people, the infection can lead to paralysis and brain or meningitis. The time between infection and the onset of symptoms is usually seven to 14 days.
The WHO is sending one million polio vaccines to Gaza to be administered in the coming weeks. The Israeli military announced last Sunday (28 July) that it would vaccinate its soldiers in Gaza. The Israeli military said it was working with various organisations to deliver vaccines to Palestinians in Gaza. Some 300,000 vaccines have been sent to the territory since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October, it added.
