08 June 2019 - The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen reported 16,868 suspected cases of cholera with 12 associated deaths during epidemiological week 21 (20 to 26 May) of 2019. Seventeen percent of cases were severe. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases from 1 January 2018 to 26 May 2019 is 724,405, with 1135 associated deaths (CFR 0.15%). Children under five represent 22.5% of total suspected cases during 2019. The outbreak has affected 22 of 23 governorates and 296 of 333 districts in Yemen.

From week 8 in 2019, the trend of weekly reported suspected cholera cases started increasing and peaked at more than 29500 cases in week 14. During weeks 15 to 21 case numbers went down and over the past 3 weeks a stable trend was observed. The decline may be attributed to enhanced control efforts such as community engagement and WaSH activities, and scaling up of response by WHO and partners, including establishing of additional DTCs and ORCs.

The governorates reporting the highest number of suspected cases of cholera during 2019 were Amanat Al Asimah (57357), Sana’a (43413), Al Hudaydah (36329), Ibb (33440), Dhamar (31641) and Arman (28701). 

Of a total 67,693 samples tested since January 2019, 3376 have been confirmed as cholera-positive by culture at the central public health laboratories. During this reporting period the governorates reporting the highest numbers of positive culture were Amanat Al Asimah (1015), Taizz (760) and Sana’a (395).

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 OCV campaign planning, water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) and risk communication.