18 July 2017 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has recorded a total of 35 052 suspected cholera cases and 53 associated deaths for week 28 (9 to 15 July 2017). A cumulative total of 351 045 suspected cases of cholera and 1790 associated deaths have been recorded as of 04 July for the outbreak which started in October 2016.
The overall case-fatality rate is 0.5%. While the number of suspected cholera cases and deaths has declined in week 25 compared to previous weeks, it is premature to consider that the outbreak is slowing down, as there is a backlog of case information currently under review.
The five most affected governorates are Amanat Al Asimah, Al Hudaydah, Hajjah Amran and Ibb where 53.9% of cases have been reported since 27 April 2017.
WHO and health partners support the Ministry through the cholera task force to improve cholera response efforts at the national and local levels. This includes the establishment of diarrhoea treatment facilities, oral dehydration centres, training of health workers to manage cases, water purification in communities, deployment of rapid response team to manage cholera cases investigations and respond to the outbreak, and enhancement of Yemen’s disease early warning surveillance systems.
While cholera is endemic in Yemen, the country has experienced a surge in cholera cases since April, with nearly 5000 cases reported per day. Ongoing conflict, destroyed health, water and sanitation infrastructure and malnutrition have caused the people to be more vulnerable to diseases, including cholera.
