29 August 2019 - The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen reported 16,296 suspected cases and 8 associated deaths during epidemiological week 33 (12-18 August) of 2019. Thirteen percent of cases were severe. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases from 1 January 2018 to 18 August 2019 is 953 888, with 1323 associated deaths (CFR 0.14%). Children under five represent 24.4% of total suspected cases during 2019. The outbreak has affected 22 of 23 governorates and 305 of 333 districts in Yemen.

The trend of weekly reported suspected cholera cases started increasing from week 8 in 2019 and reached more than 29 500 cases in week 14. These were the maximum number of cases reported so far. The trend of suspected cases has been fluctuating over the past weeks. Starting from week 23, the number of cases increased with the start of rainy season. However, since week 27, less cases were reported every week. For the last three weeks, a stable trend was observed.

The governorates reporting the highest number of suspected cases of cholera during 2019 were Amanat Al Asimah (83 870), Al Hudaydah (74 547) Sana’a (72 160), Hajjah (55 272), Dhamar (50 016), Ibb (52 611), and Arman (38 916). 

Of a total 88 173 samples tested since January 2019, 4352 have been confirmed as cholera-positive by culture at the central public health laboratories. During this reporting period the governorates reporting the highest number of positive culture were Taizz (1106), Amanat Al Asimah (1236) and Sana’a (436).   

WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing cholera outbreak, including case management, surveillance and laboratory investigations, hotspot mapping and oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaign planning, water sanitation and hygiene (WaSH), and risk communication.