10 October 2016 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has announced the occurrence of cholera cases in the capital city of Sana'a, Yemen. As of 8 October 2016, a total of 11 cases of cholera were laboratory-confirmed. The stool samples were tested positive for Vibrio cholerae at the Central Public Health Laboratory in Sana'a. No deaths have been reported so far. Most of the cases were reported from Sana'a. The cases appear to be spreading to the northern coastal areas, Aden in particular. 

Acute watery diarrhoeal diseases are endemic in Yemen. It is the second most common cause of death, especially among infants and school children.

WHO, is coordinating with the Ministry of Public Health and Population and partners on the ground to undertake necessary public health measures to stop the transmission of Vibrio cholerae and prevent its spread to other areas. WHO is also supporting the Ministry to enhance surveillance, improve case management and raise community awareness in high-risk areas.

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The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has reported new cases of cholera in Yemen.

Since the last update on 6 December, 1173 new suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea/ cholera and 3 additional deaths have been reported. As of 13 December, a cumulative total of 10 148 suspected cases of cholera, including 92 associated deaths have been reported across all affected governorates, with a case–fatality rate of 1%. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae 01 has risen to 156.

The affected areas include 135 districts in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, Al-Bayda'a, Al-Dhale'a, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Amran, Dhamar, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Raymah, Sana'a, Ta'izz as well as Sana'a City. However, over 65% of the reported cases were from Aden, Al-Bayda, Al Hudaydah and Ta’izz. About 70% of the reported deaths occurred in the governorates of Aden, Al Bayda’a, Al Hudaydah, Ibb and Ta’izz.

The cholera taskforce led by WHO, in partnership with the Ministry, UNICEF, OCHA and other partner organizations, continues to strengthen cholera response activities at the national and governorate levels. The prevention and intervention efforts taken so far have been effective in reducing the number of cases in some governorates, while new cases continue to be reported in others.

The taskforce continues to support the 26 cholera treatment centres and the 2 national health emergency control rooms in Aden and Sana'a. Rapid response teams have been deployed in the affected areas for effective and timely epidemiological investigation and response.

WHO has strengthened the capacity of local health workers through training on case management, infection control, water source chlorination and solid waste disposal and drainage network management.

Essential supplies such as rapid diagnostic test kits, IV fluids, oral rehydration solutions and water chlorination tablets have been provided in affected communities. WHO has also supported social mobilization and health education campaign among citizens to raise their awareness on prevention of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases.

Acute watery diarrhoeal diseases are endemic in Yemen, however 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.

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Update on cholera cases reported in Yemen, 8 December

Monthly situation update, November