WHO concerned about poliovirus samples in Gaza, Israeli MFA says 95% vaccinated against polio

On Tuesday, July 23, team lead for health emergencies at WHO in the Palestinian territories, Dr. Ayadil Saparbekov, expressed "extreme concern" about poliovirus and other infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip.

According to him, there have been no confirmed cases of poliovirus among people in Gaza, but six out of seven sewage samples tested positive for vaccine-derived poliovirus. This means that one or more vaccinated individuals spread the virus into the environment.

Saparbekov was quoted by numerous media outlets.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to these statements with the following message: "More than 95% of the Gaza population is vaccinated against poliovirus. Since the beginning of the war, more than 500,000 vials of the vaccine have been delivered to Gaza, enough to vaccinate over 2 million people. Israel is working with international organizations to coordinate the delivery of more vaccines to Gaza."