Ramallah, July 19 (RHC)-- The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has reported on the presence of the virus that causes polio, which was found in samples of sewage.

In this regard, the health portfolio announced that tests have been carried out on samples of sewage in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the results have shown the presence of the virus.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza described the presence of the poliovirus as “a new health catastrophe.”   The Ministry also reported that the virus is stored and spread among the tents of displaced people and in populated areas due to the destruction of infrastructure.

“The severe overcrowding, combined with the scarcity and contamination of available water by sewage, the accumulation of tons of garbage and the occupation's prohibition of the entry of cleaning materials, creates an environment conducive to the spread of various epidemics,” the Ministry of Health added.

It also specified that “the detection of the virus that causes polio in sewage signals a real health disaster, exposing thousands of residents to the risk of contracting polio.”

“The Ministry of Health calls for an immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression, the provision of clean water, the repair of sewage pipes and an end to the overcrowding of people in the areas of displaced people,” the agency added.