8 December 2016 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen has published updated figures on cases of cholera in Yemen.

To date, 8975 suspected cases of cholera, including 89 associated deaths have been reported, with a case–fatality rate of 1%.  The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae 01 is 138.

The affected areas include 135 districts in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, Amran, Al Hudaydah, Al-Bayda’a, Al-Dhale’a, Dhamar Ibb, Hajjah, Lahij, Raymah, Sana’a, Ta’izz and Sana’a City. New cases have also been reported in the governorate of Al Jawf for the first time.

The prevention and intervention efforts by WHO, in partnership with the Ministry, UNICEF, OCHA and other partner organizations, has helped to reduce the spread of the disease some governorates, while new cases continue to be reported in others.

26 cholera treatment centres have been set up in the affected governorates and surveillance for acute watery diarrhoea has been enhanced in all governorates of the country. WHO is providing support to the 2 national health emergency control rooms in Aden and Sana’a to ensure quality data collection and has mobilized rapid response teams for effective and timely epidemiological investigation and response.

WHO has strengthened the capacity of local health workers through training on case management and infection control. 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.