2016 2022 Yemen cholera outbreak

2016–2022 Yemen cholera outbreak

Cholera bacteria SEM.jpg Scanning electron micrograph of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera
Disease	[[Cholera|Cholera]]
Virus strain	[[|{{{virus_strain}}}]]
Origin	[[|{{{origin}}}]]
Confirmed cases	2.5 million (as of 2022)
Deaths	4,000 (as of 2022)
This disease outbreak related article is a stub.

The 2016–2022 Yemen cholera outbreak is one of the largest and most severe cholera outbreaks in recent history, affecting millions of people in Yemen. The outbreak began in October 2016 and has been exacerbated by the ongoing civil war, which has severely impacted the country's healthcare infrastructure and access to clean water.

Background

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, which has led to a humanitarian crisis. The conflict has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, making the population vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is typically spread through contaminated water and food.

Timeline of the Outbreak

2016

The outbreak was first reported in October 2016. Initial cases were concentrated in the capital, Sana'a, and quickly spread to other regions. By the end of 2016, thousands of cases had been reported.

2017

In 2017, the outbreak escalated dramatically. By June, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 200,000 suspected cases and more than 1,300 deaths. The rapid spread was attributed to the collapse of sanitation systems and the lack of access to clean water.

2018

Efforts to control the outbreak continued, with international organizations providing aid and support. However, the conflict hindered these efforts, and the number of cases continued to rise.

2019

In 2019, the situation remained dire, with over 1 million suspected cases reported. The WHO and other agencies launched vaccination campaigns and worked to improve water and sanitation facilities.

2020–2022

The outbreak persisted into 2020 and beyond, with periodic surges in cases. By 2022, the total number of suspected cases had reached approximately 2.5 million, with around 4,000 deaths.

Impact

The cholera outbreak has had a devastating impact on Yemen's population, particularly affecting children and vulnerable communities. The ongoing conflict has made it difficult to deliver aid and medical supplies, and many healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

Response

International organizations, including the WHO, UNICEF, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have been actively involved in responding to the outbreak. Efforts have focused on providing clean water, improving sanitation, and conducting vaccination campaigns.

Challenges

The primary challenges in controlling the outbreak include the ongoing conflict, which restricts access to affected areas, and the lack of infrastructure. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis has led to widespread malnutrition, which exacerbates the impact of cholera.

Also see

• Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
• Cholera
• Waterborne diseases
• Humanitarian crisis