Marib Health Office Reports Four Diphtheria Deaths Since the Beginning of 2025

The Marib Governorate Health Office announced on its official platform the recording of four child fatalities resulting from diphtheria infection since the start of 2025.

According to the governorate’s epidemiological surveillance report, a total of 57 suspected diphtheria cases were registered between January and the end of October, leading to four deaths, including two recorded in October alone.

Dr. Nabil Al-Sharabi and Aziz Al-Baihany, supervisors of the Rapid Response Teams in Marib, confirmed that field teams continue their efforts in surveillance, investigation, and follow-up of reported cases. They also highlighted the ongoing awareness activities carried out by health education volunteers to promote community understanding of disease prevention and the importance of vaccination.

The response team urged parents to report any suspected cases early and to visit the nearest health facility immediately if symptoms resembling diphtheria appear, such as inflammation of the throat or tonsils accompanied by a white-grayish membrane attached to the tonsils, pharynx, or nose.

The report emphasized the need for children to complete their routine immunization doses from the age of one and a half months to five years, as well as booster doses for children under twelve, noting that vaccination remains the most effective method of protection against the disease.