WHO is concerned about the spread of diseases in Gaza

2023-11-17 17:14:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

WHO is concerned about the spread of diseases in Gaza

Illustrative photo

The World Health Organization said on Friday it was very concerned about the spread of the disease in Gaza after weeks of Israeli bombardment have sent the population crammed into shelters with insufficient food and clean water, Reuters reports.

"We are extremely concerned about the spread of the disease when the winter season arrives," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

He said more than 70,000 cases of acute respiratory infections and over 44,000 cases of diarrhea have been recorded, figures significantly higher than expected.

The WHO has previously warned of "disturbing trends" in the spread of disease in Gaza, where shelling and a ground offensive have disrupted the health system, access to clean water and forced people to crowd into shelters.

The onset of the rainy season and the possibility of flooding has also raised fears that the densely populated enclave's sewage system will be overwhelmed and disease will spread.

Fuel shortages have already forced the closure of sewage pumping stations and desalination plants, increasing the risk of water pollution and disease outbreaks.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday that some 813,000 internally displaced people are staying in at least 154 shelters run by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

"Overpopulation is leading to the spread of diseases, including acute respiratory diseases and diarrhea, raising environmental and health concerns," warned OCHA./ CNA