UN agencies raise concerns over infectious diseases threat in Gaza

The United Nations agencies have expressed worries over the spread of diseases in Gaza, following recent displacements across the southern part of the besieged enclave.

Shelters are congested, personal hygiene is challenging, medicines are in short supply, and the healthcare system is overburdened.

The World Health Organisation says it remains “very concerned about the increasing threat of infectious diseases” and that in the three months until mid-December, it registered:

some 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections

136,400 cases of diarrhoea (half of these among children under five years old)

55,400 cases of lice and scabies

5,330 cases of chickenpox

42,700 cases of skin rash (including 4,722 cases of impetigo)

4,683 cases of Acute Jaundice Syndrome; and 126 cases of meningitis.

On Friday, in coordination with Israel, UNICEF said it delivered 600,000 vaccines to Gaza for routine immunisations. Many children have not received scheduled vaccinations during the war, which has claimed the lives of their parents, especially mothers.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 21,500 people have been killed, mostly women and children, in the enclave since Israel started its retaliatory campaign after the October 7 attack by the Hamas fighters.