An academic from the University of Copenhagen has warned that the recently found polio virus in Gaza has the potential to spread across the Middle East, Anadolu Agency reports.

Flemming Konradsen, a professor of global health, told Danish state news media outlet on Saturday: “It is a disease that the whole world is trying to stand together to eradicate. Obviously, if it spreads in the Middle East, then it is something you are nervous about.”

Konradsen expressed his concerns over the state of health sector in Gaza.

“What is happening in Gaza now is yet another indicator that the health infrastructure and hygiene have broken down,” he said.

“What we are currently seeing throughout Gaza is that the health situation is so incredibly poor. There is no energy, infrastructure or chemicals to, for example, do water purification, wastewater treatment or handle waste,” the professor added.

Konradsen said that Israel should be worried about reports of the polio virus because there remains a huge risk that in the coming days polio can spread to other countries in the region.