First cases of A/H1N1 flu confirmed in Gaza

Heath officials in Gaza have confirmed the territory's first five cases of the A/H1N1 flu and are warning of a shortage of vaccines for health workers.

Physicians wear face masks at the at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City Sunday,Dec. 6, 2009 after the Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed on Sunday that five residents have been infected with the swine flu. The World Health Organization says it is monitoring the situation in the blockaded territory, where health care is shabby and there are a  shortage of vaccines for health workers.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Officials from the World Health Organization, called the situation serious, saying Gaza has only 1,000 vaccine doses for its eight-thousand health employees. Analysts are citing the rivalry between Gaza's Hamas rulers and the Fatah-dominated Palestinian National Authority as well as the Israeli blockade on Gaza, for the shortages.

Gaza officials, say the Palestinian Authority has deliberately kept the area short of drugs. The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank has denied the allegation and said one million doses would be arriving between mid-December and late January.