Al-Shifa Hospital director warns of emergence of ‘new virus’ in Gaza
Gaza City: The director of Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, has issued an urgent warning regarding the spread of what he described as a “new virus” within the enclave, further straining the territory’s already devastated health system.
Dr. Abu Salmiya stated that the virus is presenting with symptoms including high fever, joint pain, runny nose, persistent cough, and prolonged diarrhea lasting more than a week. “We do not have tests to determine the cause of the virus,” he explained, noting that the outbreak is directly linked to deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
According to him, widespread malnutrition has weakened immunity levels among the population, while the absence of clean water, basic sanitation supplies, and the overcrowding of families in temporary shelters have created an environment conducive to the rapid spread of infections.
“The new virus is exacerbating the pressure on the exhausted health system,” Dr. Abu Salmiya added, highlighting that hospitals and medical facilities are struggling to cope with the surge in cases due to shortages of medicine, equipment, and trained staff.
The warning comes as the war in Gaza, described by Palestinian health authorities as a genocide, enters its 693rd day. Local reports estimate that at least 62,996 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of Israel’s assault. Among them, 317 people are said to have died from starvation, a consequence of Israel’s blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies.
Health experts have repeatedly cautioned that Gaza faces the risk of severe outbreaks of infectious diseases due to collapsed infrastructure, malnutrition, and the destruction of water and sanitation networks. International organizations have called for urgent medical assistance and unhindered humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life.
The emergence of this unidentified virus adds to the mounting health crisis in Gaza, where hospitals are already overwhelmed by war casualties and chronic shortages. Medical professionals warn that without immediate international intervention, the situation could spiral into a large-scale epidemic.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
