加沙地区正经历一场严重的水痘疫情。[1]联合国在7月上旬两周内录得超过9300例新增感染病例，疫情主要集中在加沙南部的汗尤尼斯周边帐篷区。[1]患者以儿童为主，其中包括年仅19个月大的患儿Retaj和25天大的新生儿Tala。[1]Retaj皮肤上出现硬币大小的皮疹并结痂，而Tala在医院住院6天后未能治愈。[1]
恶劣的卫生条件、拥挤的生活环境和疫苗短缺是疫情扩散的主要原因。[1]汗尤尼斯地区Nasser医院儿科主任Dr Ahmed Al-Farra表示，在未经治疗的情况下，水痘的死亡率可能达到25%-30%。[1]丹麦难民委员会已在汗尤尼斯五个地点启动应急计划以应对疫情。[1]据COGAT声明，当地供水量每天超过70000立方米，该机构表示在收到疫苗请求后将批准其进入该地区。[1]
A severe chickenpox epidemic has swept through Gaza, with thousands of children infected amid dire humanitarian conditions.[1] The United Nations recorded more than 9,300 new cases over a two-week period in early July, with infections concentrated in tent settlements around Khan Younis in southern Gaza.[1] Overcrowded living spaces, inadequate sanitation, and vaccine shortages have accelerated the virus's spread, creating a critical health crisis for the enclave's most vulnerable population.
The outbreak has produced cases of critical severity among infants and young children. A 19-month-old girl named Retaj developed coin-sized rashes that crusted over her skin, while Tala, a 25-day-old newborn, contracted the virus and required six days of hospitalization without successful treatment.[1] Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, head of pediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, warned that without intervention, the mortality rate could reach 25 to 30 percent.[1]
Response efforts remain limited amid the ongoing crisis. The Danish Refugee Council has activated emergency response protocols at five locations in Khan Younis.[1] COGAT stated that water supply exceeds 70,000 cubic meters daily and indicated approval of vaccine deliveries once requests are received.[1]