The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has released updated figures on cholera cases in Yemen.
As of 24 November 2016, 6119 suspected cases of cholera, including 68 associated deaths were reported in Sana’a City and Aden, Amran, Al Hudaydah, Al-Bayda‘a, Al-Dhale’a, Ibb, Hajjah, Lahij, Ta’izz and Sana’a governorates. Of these, 99 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as Vibrio cholerae.
While there is a decline in the rate of increase, new cases continue to be reported in communities where no intervention has taken place.
WHO is working with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, UNICEF, OCHA and other partner nongovernmental organizations on the ground to coordinate the overall response to this outbreak through a joint Health and WASH taskforce.
21 cholera treatment centres have been established in the affected governorates and surveillance for acute watery diarrhoea has been enhanced in all governorates of the country. Health workers have been provided training on improved case management and essential supplies such as IV fluids, oral rehydration solutions and water chlorination tablets have been provided in affected communities.
WHO is also supporting social mobilization and health education campaign among citizens to raise their awareness on prevention of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases through enhancing hygiene.
While acute watery diarrhoeal diseases are endemic in Yemen, the ongoing conflict has stretched the capacity of the national health systems. More than 7.6 million people, and more than 3 million internally displaced persons currently live in areas affected by the outbreak.