World News | Israel Facilitating Vaccinations After Polio Found in Gaza Sewage
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. The Israel Defence Forces added that in cooperation with international aid organizations, approximately 300,000 polio vaccines -- enough for more than one million Gaza residents -- have been brought to the Strip.
Tel Aviv [Israel], July 22 (ANI/TPS): The Israeli army said it is vaccinating soldiers against polio after the virus was found in samples of Gaza sewage, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday.
The Israel Defence Forces added that in cooperation with international aid organizations, approximately 300,000 polio vaccines -- enough for more than one million Gaza residents -- have been brought to the Strip.
Also Read | Kamala Harris, Endorsed by Joe Biden, Could Become First Woman, Second Black Person To Be US President.
The IDF said it is not aware of any active cases of polio among Palestinians or Israeli soldiers.
Polio is a highly contagious virus that is usually caught by ingesting contaminated water or food. Severe cases can lead to paralysis, respiratory problems and death. Many countries have eradicated polio, but the virus festers in situations of poor sanitation and sewage control.
Israel's Health Ministry on Thursday found evidence of poliovirus type 2 in two sewage samples from the Gaza area, which it said were consistent with test results from the World Health Organization in Egypt.
Booster shots will be made available to all soldiers serving in Gaza or before they are rotated in, but added that no troops will be obligated to be vaccinated.
On July 2, Israel began boosting the amount of electricity supplied to Gaza to operate the Strip's sewage and water desalination systems
In December an injured Israeli soldier died of a fungal infection he picked up from contaminated soil in Gaza. Experimental treatments failed to save Staff sergeant (res.) Hanan Drori as the fungus overpowered the 26-year-old's organs.
At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead. (ANI/TPS)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)