18 January 2018 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has reported 13,045 suspected cases of cholera since the beginning of January 2018, including 6 deaths in the country. The cumulative total of suspected cholera cases stands at 1 035 676 including 2244 associated deaths since April 2017. The overall case-fatality rate remains low (0.22%).
A significant decline in reported cases and deaths has been noted compared to previous months. Among the 22 affected governorates, 5 governorates (Al Mahrah, Mokalla, Seyoun, Shabwah, and Abyan) have not reported cases for the past 2 weeks.
The ongoing outbreak is attributed to destroyed/absent of health systems, lack of safe water and sanitation, and increasing malnutrition, which has raised the vulnerability of populations to diseases such as cholera and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
WHO and health partners continue to support the Ministry in responding and containing the outbreak through technical and logistic support to improve the response efforts at the national and local levels. Humanitarian partners are building the capacity of the health workforce in case management, availability of safe water and community sensitization and mobilization for early reporting of cases to the health facilities to reduce the morbidity and spread of the disease.