Gaza refugee camps brace for summer surge in skin infections

The UN warns that crowded Gaza refugee camps are experiencing a sharp rise in skin infections as summer approaches, driven by heat, overcrowding, and a blocking of medical supplies. Outbreaks include scabies and chickenpox, with children particularly affected; in 2024, about 150,000 Gazans were affected. Health efforts are hampered by the blockade, shortages of medications and hygiene products, and difficulties disinfecting tents, prompting appeals for greater access to essential supplies to avert a larger public health emergency.