Deadly Respiratory Virus Spreads Across Gaza

A dangerous respiratory virus is spreading rapidly across the Gaza Strip, claiming lives and pushing the territory’s already fragile health system toward collapse, health officials have warned.

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, medical director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, said hospitals are recording rising deaths linked to the outbreak, particularly among children, older adults and patients suffering from chronic illnesses.

He described the situation as an “unprecedented health catastrophe,” saying the virus is spreading across all age groups due to severe malnutrition, prolonged psychological trauma and the near-total absence of vaccination coverage.

According to hospital officials, patients are experiencing prolonged symptoms lasting up to two weeks, including high fever, intense joint and bone pain, persistent headaches and vomiting. In many cases, the illness progresses into acute pneumonia, significantly increasing the risk of death.

Doctors warned that critical shortages of medicines, oxygen, diagnostic equipment and vaccines—caused by ongoing restrictions on medical supplies—have severely limited hospitals’ ability to respond, cautioning that without urgent international intervention, the health crisis could rapidly worsen.