GAZA — A growing public health emergency is unfolding in Gaza as the United Nations reports more than 9,000 cases of chickenpox recorded across 130 healthcare facilities within a two-week period.

Health officials say overcrowded displacement camps, limited access to clean water, and deteriorating sanitation conditions are creating an environment where infectious diseases can spread rapidly, particularly among children.

Families displaced by the conflict are living in makeshift shelters where as many as 10 to 20 people may share a single tent. Medical professionals say these conditions make it virtually impossible to isolate infected individuals, one of the most effective ways to prevent chickenpox from spreading.

Basic Hygiene Remains a Daily Challenge

Residents describe living conditions where clean water deliveries are infrequent, making routine hygiene difficult to maintain.

Parents caring for sick children say they are doing everything possible to prevent infections from spreading, but overcrowding and shortages of essential supplies leave them with few options.

Healthcare workers warn that without improved access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and medical resources, common childhood illnesses are likely to continue spreading throughout displacement camps.

Humanitarian Needs Continue to Grow

Medical teams working in Gaza say containing outbreaks requires more than treatment alone. They stress the importance of adequate shelter, reliable water supplies, hygiene products, and healthcare services to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations.