• Treczoks@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    What makes me wonder: if Gaza is polio-free for 25 years, where does the virus come from?

    • Bluefalcon
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      2 months ago

      Most viruses come from our soil. This could be wild or just contamination due to the conditions.

      • Treczoks@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        The polio virus does not like higher temperatures. At 4°C it survives best outside a host, but only at certain soil conditions, and even then only for a half to one year.

      • Treczoks@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Especially as there is a party in the game that has the capabilities and a motive.

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      It’s possible for people to carry the virus without actually getting sick. See Typhoid Mary, for example.

      • Treczoks@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Yes and no. There is actually a high rate of symptom-free polio carriers, but also implies a non-neglectable amount of carriers with symptoms. Which does not fit into the “25 yeare polio free” scenario.