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WHO: Cholera ‘continues to threaten millions’ in Yemen

June 6, 2018 at 2:45 pm

A Yemeni mother waits with her daughter as she receives medical care for cholera [Twitter]

The fight against cholera in Yemen is “far from over”, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday, and that the epidemic “continues to threaten million..”

“The rainy season runs from mid-April to the end of August, which will further increase the risk of transmission,” the UN agency said in a statement on its official website.

Cholera continues to be a threat for “millions” in the war-torn country, especially women, children and the elderly, according to WHO’s statement.

“Efforts are now being coordinated to save the lives of vulnerable population groups and get Yemen rid of this water borne but preventable disease.”

READ: WHO launches cholera vaccination campaign in Yemen

The UN agency’s representative in Yemen, Nevio Zagaria, said that a third wave of the epidemic is expected, which necessitates the adoption of public health methods against it.

“In addition to conducting vaccination campaigns, an integrated comprehensive cholera outbreak response operational plan has been developed in cooperation with the health authorities and collaboration with health partners to implement activities regarding early detection, referral, case investigation and management, water and sanitation, health education, promotion and food hygiene,” Zagaria said.