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Hundreds infected as meningitis spreads in collapsing Gaza health system
1 July 2025 08:33 BST
Health officials in Gaza have reported hundreds of meningitis cases, raising alarm over the spread of disease as the territory’s medical system continues to buckle under relentless bombardment and siege.
The Ministry of Health said the outbreak reflects the severe deterioration of healthcare infrastructure, with overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water fuelling infections.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges — the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
According to the World Health Organization, it is typically triggered by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, though other causes include cancer, chemical irritation, or brain haemorrhages.