31 Oct 2018 | 01:36 AM UTC
Yemen: Cholera outbreak continues as of late October
Cholera outbreak continues as of late October; over 1.2 million suspected cases reported since April 2017
Event
On Thursday, October 25, health authorities in Yemen reported 13,403 new suspected cases of cholera and 26 associated deaths nationwide during the period of October 1 to October 7. Since the beginning of the current outbreak, 22 provinces and 306 districts in Yemen have been affected by the disease. The number of cholera cases has continued to sharply increase in Al-Hudaydah, Taiz, Al Jawf, and Leif provinces, while the localities of Al-Hudaydah, Amran, Dhamar, Amanat Al-Asimah, and Sana'a recorded the highest number of cases from October 1 to October 7. The WHO continues to support the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population to contain the outbreak and strengthen disease surveillance. Further spread of the disease is to be anticipated in the coming weeks.
Context
Since April 2017, over 1.2 million suspected cases of cholera have been reported, resulting in 2510 deaths. The military conflict between the Saudi-led pro-government coalition and Houthi rebels since May 2015 has resulted in a political and humanitarian crisis that has left 10,000 people dead and 8 million Yemenis at risk of famine.
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium 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
Individuals planning travel to or in Yemen are strongly advised to receive cholera vaccinations. It is also advised to stock up on food and bottled water, and conserve water as much as possible.
The security environment throughout the country remains complex, and due to poor security conditions, most 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, and professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.
