Dr. Jamil Suleiman, head of Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza, has reported a noticeable increase in the number of children infected with chickenpox, prompting urgent field measures to monitor and track incoming cases to hospitals. He warned that the virus has now become a direct and serious threat to public health.

According to Suleiman, severe overcrowding in displacement shelters is accelerating the spread of the infection, while harsh environmental conditions are amplifying its impact, particularly on vulnerable groups.

He also cautioned that cases could develop into serious and alarming complications, including encephalitis, especially among young children and those with weakened immune systems, as environmental conditions continue to deteriorate.