22 December 2016 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has released updated figures on cholera cases in the country. Since the last update on 13 December, 1496 new suspected cases of cholera and 4 additional deaths have been reported.
As of 20 December, a cumulative total of 11 644 suspected cases of cholera, including 96 associated deaths have been reported across all affected governorates, with a case–fatality rate of 1%. So far, a total 157 stool samples were tested positive for Vibrio cholerae 01. 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.
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. Medical supplies have been provided to the treatment centres in Al Sabeen Hospital in Sana'a and four of the 26 diarrhoea treatment centres in Ibb and Hajjah governorates.
WHO has supported dispatch of rapid response teams to Arhab District in Sana’a to test and chlorinate water sources, including wells and water tanks. The taskforce continues to provide support to the 2 national health emergency control rooms in Aden and Sana'a. 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. WHO has also 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.
