1 February 2018 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has reported 6410 suspected cases of cholera and 4 associated deaths in week 3 (15–21 January). The cumulative total of suspected cholera cases stands at 1 046 674 including 2248 associated deaths (case-fatality rate 0.21%) since April 2017.  

The trend of new cases of cholera is downward compared to previous months. The weekly proportion of severe cases is at 10% of the total admitted cases. The five governorates with the highest cumulative attack rates are Amran, Al Mahwit, Al Dhale’e, Hajjah and Sana’a. 

WHO, Health cluster and WASH 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. This includes, building the capacity of the health workforce in case management; running diarrhoea treatment centres and oral rehydration points; deploying rapid response teams; ensuring availability of safe water; and sensitizing and mobilizing the community for early reporting of cases to the health facilities. 

The cholera outbreak in Yemen 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.