Yemen: Suspected cholera cases exceed 845,000 as of Oct. 17 /update 1

Event

Suspected cholera cases in Yemen exceeded 845,000 as of Tuesday, October 17, making it the largest outbreak of the disease on record. Almost 2200 people in the country have died from cholera since the beginning of the outbreak in October 2016. Though the disease's spread has slowed in recent weeks, conditions in the country remain conducive to its spread: millions are without access to clean water, waste collection has stopped in major cities, and the country's health system is rapidly collapsing due to damage from the ongoing civil war. At current rates of contagion (average of 4000 new cases per day), the number of suspected cases is forecast to reach 1 million by November 2017.

Context

The collapse of Yemen's infrastructure amid the ongoing war between the Saudi-backed government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi rebels has made for what the WHO has called a "perfect storm for cholera."

Yemen has been engaged in a complex and deadly conflict since Houthi rebels started fighting the international coalition-backed government in 2015. Approximately 20.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and the crisis has placed an overwhelming strain on the country's struggling health system. Major health facilities have been destroyed in the conflict and aid deliveries are often blocked by rebels, stolen, or destroyed. The port of Hodeida, one of the largest ports of the country, is blocked by rebels and threatened by the conflict, which prevents international aid from entering the country. Yemen is also affected by widespread famine. Approximately 17 million people - two-thirds of the population of Yemen - are food insecure, according to the World Food Program. Human rights organization CARE reports that roughly two-thirds of the population is without regular access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria that can induce acute diarrhea. The risk of death is greatest among people with compromised immune systems, such as malnourished children or those living with HIV. However, even among healthy adults, cholera can be fatal within a matter of hours.

Advice

To reduce the risk of contracting cholera, wash hands regularly, drink only bottled or purified water, and avoid eating raw or undercooked foods. Seek immediate medical care if you believe you may have contracted the disease.

More generally, the security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.