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.
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Pregnant youtuber killed in Telangana, husband held
Karimnagar (Telangana), Mar 18 (PTI): A 20-year-old pregnant youtuber was allegedly murdered by her husband in Telangana's Jagtial district, police said on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as Vaishnavi, was found lying in a pool of blood at her parents' residence in Madhapur village on Tuesday.
According to Korutla Inspector Suresh, the woman's parents alerted the police.
Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's father, S R Durgaprasad, the accused, Chittari Hariprasad was arrested.
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Police said Hariprasad allegedly killed his wife by strangulation and stabbing her on the face.
The couple had been married for about ten months.
The victim's father also alleged that Vaishnavi had been subjected to dowry harassment by her husband, as well as his mother and brother.
Police said Hariprasad would be produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.
While Hariprasad has been named as the prime accused in the murder, investigators are also probing the alleged involvement of his family members on charges of abetment.
The body was handed over to the family after conducting a postmortem examination, police added.
