Over nine lakhs cases of cholera detected in Yemen

NewsBharati    12-Nov-2017
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Sana’a, November 12: Yemen has been severely hampered due to the dual attack including civil war and outbreak of cholera. Notably, the death toll in Yemen has surged to 2192 while suspected cholera cases have reached to 9,08,400 due to the massive outbreak of cholera since 27 April 2017.

 

The WHO representative in Yemen, Dr. Nevio Zagaria said, “As of 5 November, a total of 908 400 suspected cases and 2192 deaths have been reported since 27 April 2017 in 22 of 23 governorates.” “We have made progress and there have been fewer deaths from cholera but we will suffer a major setback if we don’t have full access to all affected areas”, Dr. Zagaria added.

At least 3000 people per day are infected and affected due to cholera. More than 4,00,000 children who are under the age of five are severely suffering from malnourishment just because of a cholera outbreak and civil war. A total 96% percent of Yemen is affected by cholera. 22 out of 23 governorates except for Socotra i.e 96% while 300 out of 333 districts i.e 90% are affected by cholera.

However, the fatality case rates have gone by 0.35%. Children and the elderly are the affected at the worst as more than 44% of the suspected cases since the outbreak and a quarter of the deaths are children, while old people represent 39% of fatalities.

With over 20 million people dependent on aid, Yemen is the world's single largest humanitarian crisis, now made even worse with the outbreak of cholera. Less than half the country’s hospitals are running and less than a third of the needed medicines are available due to which conditions are getting worst.

Meanwhile, WHO has provided 1500 tonnes of medicines and supplies. WHO-supported mobile medical teams have provided 21 443 consultations. WHO-supported surgical teams have conducted 9300 surgical interventions.

BACKGROUND:

In 2011, some 719,377 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in Haiti, and 8,767 people died, according to national figures cited by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. An epidemic late last year faded but outbreaks are frequent and made worse by the degrading of health and sanitation systems by more than two years of civil war that has also killed at least 10,000 people and displaced millions. Earlier, in 2011, some 719,377 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in Haiti, and 8,767 people died.