Cholera cases surge in Yemen as conflict intensifies, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a tripling of suspected cholera cases in Yemen over a three-week period, warning that the increasing disease burden is overburdening hospitals already tasked with treating war casualties. The ongoing conflict in the country, exacerbated by mass displacement, is contributing to the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, according to the WHO.

Overcrowding, lack of access to safe water, and disrupted health services are exposing a growing number of individuals to diseases such as cholera, measles, and others that are preventable.

In just one week, the number of suspected cholera cases rose from 217 in the period of September 6-12 to 647 between September 27 and October 3, the WHO disclosed. As of now, Yemen has reported a total of 8,034 suspected cases and 27 deaths this year, with a quarter of the suspected cases occurring in the last four weeks alone.

In a photo from August 27, 2024, a young boy carries a child to receive medical treatment at a facility near a camp housing people displaced by conflict in Abs, located in Yemen's Hajjah province.