"On January 23, 11-year-old Aline Asfour received her third-grade graduation certificate with honors, scoring in the 98th percentile and ranking first in her class. Her family celebrated her academic achievement and excellence. Two days later, Aline began feeling unwell. She started vomiting repeatedly and suffered from severe diarrhea. At first, her family believed she was experiencing a common cold due to the cold weather and living in displacement tents."
"That same night, Aline's temperature rose sharply, and the vomiting continued. By 1:30 a.m., her family called for an ambulance. A few days later, Aline was dead, infected with a deadly case of meningitis. According to health officials in Gaza, at least 15 cases of the disease have been recorded so far, with expectations that the outbreak will worsen."
"Bacterial meningitis is often contracted from feces or respiratory droplets, health officials in Gaza say, making living conditions in displacement camps an ideal environment for spreading the illness. Health officials who spoke to Mondoweiss say that the bacterial infection is far more dangerous than its comparatively mild viral equivalent, and can often be deadly. The disease affects the membranes surrounding the brain, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid that circulates in the brain's ventricles."
Eleven-year-old Aline Asfour fell ill two days after receiving her third-grade graduation certificate and died a few days later from bacterial meningitis. She experienced repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea and a high fever before an ambulance was called. Health officials in Gaza report at least 15 cases so far and expect the outbreak to worsen. Bacterial meningitis spreads via feces or respiratory droplets, making overcrowded displacement camps high-risk environments. The bacterial form is far more dangerous than viral meningitis and can be fatal. Dire medical shortages and poor living conditions increase transmission risk among displaced civilians.
Read at Truthout
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