DUBAI: Nearly 9,300 cases of chickenpox were reported in Gaza in just two weeks, with over half in Khan Younis alone, according to a recent report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The situation remains critical, with an urgent need to restore supplies to prevent further deterioration and potential loss of life,” said the report.
The surge has been linked to deteriorating environmental conditions, severe overcrowding, hygiene gaps, and the summer season.
Around 80 percent of Gaza’s population, about 1.7 million Palestinians, are living across nearly 1,600 active displacement sites where there are acute shortages of water, shelter and basic services.
Limited access to soap, inadequate waste management, sewage flowing through streets and overcrowded living conditions have all increased the risk of communicable disease transmission. The risks are amplified by widespread rodent infestations and pests across the Gaza Strip.
Water storage has also become an issue. Many displaced families have been forced to store water in used flour sacks lined with plastic garbage bags, increasing the risk of contamination.
The Health Cluster coordinates the response in the Gaza Strip with humanitarian organizations. They reported that partners are providing essential medicines, including antibiotics and fever relievers.
They have also increased water trucking to displacement sites that are heavily affected, increased water-chlorination efforts, latrine cleaning, and disinfection.
More than 100 health promoters have been deployed to educate residents about managing symptoms at home and when to seek medical assistance.
However, humanitarian agencies continue to urge “unimpeded access to affected areas and sustained funding” alongside an expansion in treatment coverage and more resources.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus, and the most effective way to thwart it is usually through vaccination.
The disruption in health services due to the war has also left many without routine vaccinations.
Although chickenpox is often mild in children, it can cause serious complications in newborns, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
The outbreak highlights Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Collapsed infrastructure, overcrowding in camps, lack of access to basic needs, and the accumulation of waste have created conditions for the spread of communicable diseases and exposed Palestinians to preventable health risks.
