31 December,2018 - The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has reported 11 966 suspected cases and 16 associated deaths during epidemiological week 49 (3 – 9 December) of 2018, of which 12% are severe cases. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases from 1 January 2018 to 9 December 2018 is 336 551 including 441 associated deaths (CFR 0.13%). Children under five represent 32.0% of the total suspected cases, and 22 out of 23 governorates and 312 out of 333 districts in Yemen have been affected.

From week 39 to week 41, the trend of weekly reported suspected cholera cases was stable at country level, with 222 districts reporting suspected cholera cases within the last three weeks. In this reporting period upward trends were observed in Al Dhale’e governorate and Marib governorate. Governorates reporting the highest number of suspected cases are Al Hudaydah (2061), Amanat Al Asimah (1449), Arman (1402), Sanaa (1394), Ibb (1381) and Dhamar (1303).

Out of 10 229 samples collected during 2018, 3124 cases have been confirmed as cholera positive by culture at the central public health laboratories in Al Hudaydah, Sana’a, Taizz, and Aden governorates. This reporting period, 41 stool samples from Amanat Al Asimah, Ibb, Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Al Baydha tested positive.

The cholera outbreak in Yemen is the worst cholera epidemic in recent history. WHO continues to provide leadership and support the health authorities and partners in activities to mitigate the outbreak, including in the areas of case management, surveillance, laboratory investigations, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and risk communication.