WHO ‘extremely concerned’ over spread of disease in Gaza ahead of winter season

The World Health Organization said on Friday it was very concerned about the spread of disease of Gaza as weeks of Israeli bombardments have caused the population to crowd in shelters with scarce food and clean water.

“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 that more than 70,000 cases of acute respiratory infections and over 44,000 cases of diarrhea had been recorded in the densely populated enclave, figures higher significantly higher than expected.

WHO has previously warned of “worrying trends” in the spread of disease in Gaza, where bombardments and a ground offensive have disrupted the health system, access to clean water and caused people to crowd into shelters.

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

The absence of fuel already has forced the shutdown of sewage pumping stations and desalination plants, increasing the risk of water contamination and the outbreak of disease.

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

“Overcrowding is leading to the spread of disease, including acute respiratory illness and diarrhea, raising environmental and health concerns,” OCHA warned.