The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has released new figures on the number of cholera and cholera-related deaths in the country.

As of 30 October 2016, a total of 1410 suspected cases of cholera, including 45 associated deaths have been reported. Laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera have been reported from Taiz, Aden, Lahj, Al-Hudaydah, Hajjah, Sana'a, Al-Baida and and Ibb governorates. Of the 116 stools samples tested so far, 55 were positive for Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa at the Central Public Health Laboratory of Sana’a.

WHO is working in coordination with the Ministry and partners on the ground under a joint health/WASH taskforce to coordinate the response. WHO has established 21 cholera treatment centres in the most affected governorates, and provided IV fluids, diarrhoeal disease kits and oral rehydration solutions for case management in these centres. WHO also conducted a training workshop for epidemiological surveillance coordinators from 16 out of Yemen's 23 governorates to strengthen cholera case detection, reporting and response. 

While acute watery diarrhoeal diseases are endemic in Yemen, the ongoing conflict has exacerbated the situation. More than 7.6 million people are currently living in areas affected by the outbreak, as well as more than 3 million internally displaced persons. 

WHO has issued an appeal for funds on behalf of Yemen Health and WASH Clusters to scale-up priority response activities, and has released approximately US$ 1 million from its internal emergency funds to support the ongoing response efforts.

Related link

WHO releases emergency funds to support cholera response in Yemen, 27 October 2016