Ramallah, Jan 13 (Prensa Latina) The director of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, warned of a dangerous outbreak of a respiratory virus currently affecting the population of Gaza, amidst a severe health crisis caused by the Israeli aggression.

The doctor estimated that the virus could be caused by mutated strains of influenza or coronavirus, and stated that it has caused deaths and serious injuries, especially among children and the elderly.

Quoted by Safa news agency, the specialist stated that its effects are exacerbated by severe malnutrition in the coastal enclave, which has weakened the body’s ability to resist disease.

In this regard, he described the health situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and tragic” due to the effects of the war unleashed by Israel more than two years ago.

Abu Salmiya pointed out that the spread of viruses is facilitated because the shelters in the Strip are overcrowded and lack basic public health requirements, which accelerates transmission.

He stressed that a large part of Gaza’s population lives under the weight of famine and acute malnutrition as a result of food insecurity and high rates of poverty.

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