Hunger is ravaging Gaza, and this is expected to increase illness across the Strip, most acutely among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older people.
The United Nations is tracking 14 diseases with “epidemic potential” as the frayed healthcare system reports soaring rates of dysentery, watery diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections that might overwhelm global responses,
In new estimates released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global partnership, which includes the World Health Organization (WHO), said Gaza is facing “catastrophic levels of food insecurity,” with the risk of famine “increasing each day.”
An unprecedented 93% of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition.
“From a public health and humanitarian perspective, there are already massive red flags and major alerts as we discuss this situation right now, well before any potential ground invasion by Israel,” said health expert Paul Spiegel, MD, the director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“The complete blockade of Gaza does not allow for the importation of basic lifesaving services like water, electricity, food, and medical supplies into a densely populated and circumscribed area,” said Spiegel. “Combined with bombing, a massive number of civilians being displaced, and attacks on health care facilities, this is a toxic brew for epidemics, exacerbations of existing illnesses, and increased morbidity and mortality.”
At least 1 in 4 households are facing “catastrophic conditions” experiencing an extreme lack of food and starvation and having resorted to selling off their possessions and other extreme measures to afford a simple meal. Starvation, destitution, and death are evident.
On recent missions to north Gaza, WHO staff say that every single person they spoke to in Gaza is hungry. Wherever they went, including hospitals and emergency wards, people asked them for food. “We move around Gaza delivering medical supplies and people rush to our trucks hoping it’s food,” they said, calling it “an indicator of the desperation.”
In the war-torn region, the convergence of multiple risk factors paints a grim picture of a breeding ground for potential global health threats.
The devastating combination of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and the displacement of over a million people creates an environment conducive to the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The destruction of sanitation infrastructure further exacerbates the situation, leaving the population vulnerable to a myriad of health risks.
Compounding these issues is the widespread malnutrition and starvation, which weaken immune systems, rendering individuals more susceptible to infections.
Pre-existing illnesses, such as hepatitis and respiratory infections, further compromise the already fragile immune function of the population.
The dire conditions in Gaza contribute to a perfect storm of health vulnerabilities.
The increased transmission vectors, including skin rashes, scabies, and lice infestations, facilitate close physical contact, becoming key factors in the transmission of infectious diseases.
The potential evolution of more virulent strains of diseases like chickenpox poses an additional threat to the already vulnerable population as we saw with coronavirus, which turned out to be impossible to contain in the location where it originated.
Moreover, the absence of proper healthcare and insufficient antibiotics creates a breeding ground for bacterial and viral mutations.
This scenario increases the likelihood of the emergence of highly transmissible and antibiotic-resistant strains, making outbreaks difficult to control and treat.
As bombs continue to rain down on the war-torn region, the lack of investment in humanitarian aid, conflict resolution, and public health infrastructure further compounds the crisis.
The desperation of the affected population to flee conflict zones for safety may inadvertently lead to the global spread of infectious diseases.
The lack of international intervention and support allows the confluence of risk factors to persist, creating a ticking time bomb for a potential global health emergency.
In the face of such dire circumstances, it becomes crucial for the international community to recognize the urgent need for humanitarian aid, conflict resolution efforts, and the establishment of robust public health infrastructure.
Ignoring these issues not only perpetuates human suffering on a massive scale but also sets the stage for a global health crisis that could affect regions far beyond the immediate conflict zone.
Infectious diseases thriving in war-torn Gaza are
Gaza is already experiencing soaring rates of infectious diseases. Over 100 000 cases of diarrhoea have been reported since mid-October. Half of these are among young children under the age of 5 years, case numbers that are 25 times what was reported before the conflict.
Over 150 000 cases of upper respiratory infection, and numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox have been reported. Hepatitis is also suspected as many people present with the tell-tale signs of jaundice.
While a healthy body can more easily fight off these diseases, a wasted and weakened body will struggle. Hunger weakens the body’s defences and opens the door to disease.
Malnutrition increases the risk of children dying from illnesses like diarrhoea, pneumonia and measles, especially in a setting where they lack access to life-saving health services.
Even if the child survives, wasting can have life-long impacts as it stunts growth and impairs cognitive development.
Breastfeeding mothers are also at high risk of malnutrition. From 0-6 months of age, a mother’s milk is the best and safest food a baby can get. This protects the child from nutritional deficiencies and catching deadly diseases such as diarrhoea, especially when access to safe drinking water is extremely limited.
Mental health issues, on the rise across the population in Gaza, including among women, could further impact breastfeeding rates.
Lack of sanitation and hygiene, and a collapsing health system, add to the toxic mix
Over 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes, of whom over 1.4 million are staying in overcrowded shelters. These conditions are ripe for a continued rise in infectious diseases. In Gaza today, on average, there is only one shower for every 4500 people and one toilet for every 220. Clean water remains scarce and there are rising levels of outdoor defecation. These conditions make the spread of infectious diseases inevitable.
Tragically, access to health services across Gaza has plummeted as the war continues to degrade the health system. With the health system on its knees, those facing the deadly combination of hunger and disease are left with few options.
The people of Gaza, who have already suffered enough, now face death from starvation and diseases that could be easily treated with a functioning health system. This must stop. Food and other aid must flow in far greater amounts. WHO reiterates its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
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