WHO warns of Gaza Strip risk of major epidemics – Al-Baath Media

The World Health Organization warned that the Gaza Strip is exposed to the spread of large waves of epidemics, coinciding with the continuation of the Israeli aggression and the restriction of the arrival of humanitarian aid and health supplies to the Strip for more than 35 days.

“There are factors that lead to the spread of major waves of epidemics, including the cessation of waste management in the Gaza Strip, as well as the cessation of sewage management activities due to fuel shortages, in addition to the spread of malnutrition, especially among children, due to the dwindling food stocks in light of the interruption of food and food imports to the Gaza Strip, and people being forced to drink water that is not fit for drinking due to limited water resources and the lack of a way to manage water desalination due to the lack of fuel,” Novosti quoted the organization’s spokeswoman, Margaret Harris, as saying in press statements today.

Harris pointed out that “33,551 cases of diarrhea have been detected in Gaza since the war began on the seventh of last month, and that half of these cases appear in children under the age of five,” warning that “diarrhea can quickly kill a child who cannot get enough food and water, and can kill a newborn in one day because the mother is unable to breastfeed him naturally due to her hunger.”

“The Gaza Strip is currently experiencing a major outbreak of chickenpox among children, along with rashes, scabies and lice due to the blockade, overcrowded conditions and lack of cleaning supplies,” Harris said, announcing 54,866 cases of respiratory infections in Gaza. “The current situation is also contributing to the spread of influenza and various colds, including the novel coronavirus, which could have more serious consequences for people with weakened immune systems.”