Yemen: An increase in suspected cases of cholera, and a third of the cases are children

A recent UN report revealed a significant increase in suspected cases of cholera in Yemen, after more than a thousand cases were recorded.

The report stated that a total of 1,018 cases related to the cholera outbreak were reported in 9 governorates, including 6 deaths during the period between October 16 and December 31, 2023, indicating that children under the age of five represent a third of the cases.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said: “In the last quarter of last year, Yemen witnessed an increase in suspected cholera cases in several governorates, as a total of 1,018 cases linked to the outbreak of the disease were reported in 23 regions belonging to 9 governorates in the south and east.” The country, during the period between October 16 and December 31, 2023.
The report added that the partners initially reported a higher percentage of suspected cases of cholera in Shabwa Governorate around mid-October 2023, but after that it was confirmed that the rate of suspected cases had increased in 8 other governorates, namely: Hadramaut, Aden, Abyan, Lahj, Al-Mahra, Al-Dhalea, Taiz, and Al-Hudaydah, with reports 6 deaths related to the disease.
The OCHA office explained that children under the age of five constitute nearly a third of cholera cases during the reporting period.
The report also indicated that there is a gradual improvement, as December data indicates a decrease in cases due to the cold weather.
The report stated that these numbers do not represent the number of actual cases of cholera infection, which are likely to be much higher, due to lack of reporting in various regions, especially in the northern governorates under the control of the Houthi group, while “partners are closely monitoring other governorates, including Marib, Al Bayda and Al Jawf.”