Over 17,000 Skin Infections Recorded in Gaza, Children Most Affected

Over 17,000 ectoparasitic skin infections were recorded in Gaza in 2026, with more than six in ten cases affecting children.

Overcrowded displacement camps in Gaza have seen deteriorating sanitation and limited access to clean water, creating conditions for skin infections to spread. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, and malnutrition weakens children’s immunity, making them more susceptible.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported over 17,000 ectoparasitic skin infections in 2026. In April, Medical Aid for Palestinians screened 7,017 individuals across six primary health centres; 1,325 were diagnosed with skin diseases, and 62 % of those were children. A mother at Nasser Hospital said she had never seen such rashes before and noted many children with similar lesions.

The data come from an observational cross‑sectional study, so they show association between camp conditions and skin disease but do not prove that overcrowding directly causes each case. Improving water quality, distributing hygiene kits, and treating malnutrition could reduce transmission. Watch for upcoming humanitarian access reports and any changes in infection trends as aid flows shift.