Medical Relief Director: Increasing spread of unknown viruses in Gaza

Medical Relief director Dr. Mohammed Abu Afash said on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, that unknown viruses are increasingly spreading in Gaza.

Abu Afash said there is no capacity to diagnose cases due to the lack of tests and medical equipment, noting that incoming patients often suffer from: fever, headache, joint pain, and diarrhea.

On suspicions that the symptoms are a mutated form of the coronavirus, he said, “There is no scientific confirmation.”

He stressed that malnutrition has caused weakened immunity and increased disease incidence, saying the health system is exhausted and suffering shortages of painkillers and other medicines, which exacerbates the crises.