Eight professors of epidemiology, hematology and other health sciences are calling for a cessation of fighting in the besieged and bombarded coastal enclave, citing the detection of polio in sewage samples in Gaza as a threat to both Israelis and Palestinians, Al Jazeera reports.

In an opinion piece published in the Israeli daily Haaretz, the health professionals said the identification of the polio virus in Gaza “reminds us that pathogens and toxic exposures know no borders. Polio can be spread for weeks by infected individuals who have no symptoms. The devastating consequences of this disease, including paralysis, long-term disability and death are well known”.

The experts said the response to the threat of the highly infectious poliovirus must be coordinated and comprehensive. It requires the cooperation of international organisations to reach infants, humanitarian and health workers and immunocompromised adults, and the vaccination of all soldiers currently or recently in Gaza, as well as infants who have not yet been adequately vaccinated.

“A ceasefire will enable efforts to improve the water, sanitation and hygienic conditions and to enhance food security, rebuild adequate shelter and rehabilitate Gaza’s health system,” they wrote.