06 July 2017 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has recorded a total of 50 998 suspected cholera cases and 218 associated deaths during the period 28 June to 04 July 2017. A cumulative total of 27 5987 suspected cases of cholera and 1634 associated deaths have been recorded as of 04 July during the outbreak which started in October 2016.
The overall case-fatality rate remains 0.6%, although it is higher in some regions. The four most affected governorates are Amanat Al Asimah, Al Hudaydah, Hajjah and Amran where 47.9% of cases have been reported since 27 April 2017.
WHO and health partners support the Ministry through the cholera task force to improve cholera response efforts at the national and local levels. More than 660,000 bags of IV fluids, 525 cholera beds and 112 kits containing supplies for the treatment of cholera and diarrhoea were delivered to health facilities to support response efforts. Other response efforts include the establishment of diarrhoea treatment facilities, oral dehydration centres, training of health workers to manage cases, water purification in communities, deployment of rapid response team to manage cholera cases investigations and respond to the outbreak, and enhancement of Yemen’s disease early warning surveillance systems.
While cholera is endemic in Yemen, the country has experienced a surge in cholera cases since April, with nearly 5000 cases reported per day. Ongoing conflict, destroyed health, water and sanitation infrastructure and malnutrition have caused the people to be more vulnerable to diseases, including cholera.