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| Yemen cholera epidemic: Cases exceed 500,000 in four months | Yemen cholera epidemic: Cases exceed 500,000 in four months |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of suspected cases of cholera resulting from an epidemic in war-torn Yemen has reached 500,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. | |
| At least 1,975 people have died since the waterborne disease began to spread rapidly at the end of April. | At least 1,975 people have died since the waterborne disease began to spread rapidly at the end of April. |
| The WHO said the overall caseload had declined since July, but that 5,000 people a day were still being infected. | The WHO said the overall caseload had declined since July, but that 5,000 people a day were still being infected. |
| The disease spread due to deteriorating hygiene and sanitation conditions and disruptions to the water supply. | The disease spread due to deteriorating hygiene and sanitation conditions and disruptions to the water supply. |
| More than 14 million people are cut off from regular access to clean water and sanitation in Yemen, and waste collection has ceased in major cities. | More than 14 million people are cut off from regular access to clean water and sanitation in Yemen, and waste collection has ceased in major cities. |
| Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera. | Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera. |
| Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms but, in severe cases, the disease can kill within hours if left untreated. | Most of those infected will have no or mild symptoms but, in severe cases, the disease can kill within hours if left untreated. |
| Yemen's health service has struggled to cope with the cholera epidemic - currently the largest in the world - with more than half of all medical facilities closed due to damage sustained during more than two years of conflict between pro-government forces and the rebel Houthi movement. | Yemen's health service has struggled to cope with the cholera epidemic - currently the largest in the world - with more than half of all medical facilities closed due to damage sustained during more than two years of conflict between pro-government forces and the rebel Houthi movement. |
| The WHO said shortages in medicines and supplies were persistent and widespread, and that 30,000 health workers had not been paid in almost a year. | The WHO said shortages in medicines and supplies were persistent and widespread, and that 30,000 health workers had not been paid in almost a year. |
| "Yemen's health workers are operating in impossible conditions," said the WHO's director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. | "Yemen's health workers are operating in impossible conditions," said the WHO's director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. |
| "Thousands of people are sick, but there are not enough hospitals, not enough medicines, not enough clean water. | "Thousands of people are sick, but there are not enough hospitals, not enough medicines, not enough clean water. |
| "These doctors and nurses are the backbone of the health response - without them we can do nothing in Yemen. They must be paid their wages so that they can continue to save lives." | "These doctors and nurses are the backbone of the health response - without them we can do nothing in Yemen. They must be paid their wages so that they can continue to save lives." |
| The WHO and its partners are working to set up cholera treatment clinics, rehabilitate health facilities, deliver medical supplies and support Yemen's health response effort. | The WHO and its partners are working to set up cholera treatment clinics, rehabilitate health facilities, deliver medical supplies and support Yemen's health response effort. |
| More than 99% of people infected who can access health services are surviving. | More than 99% of people infected who can access health services are surviving. |
| Dr Tedros called on all sides in Yemen's conflict, which has killed more than 8,160 people and injured 46,330 since March 2015, to urgently find a political solution. | Dr Tedros called on all sides in Yemen's conflict, which has killed more than 8,160 people and injured 46,330 since March 2015, to urgently find a political solution. |
| "The people of Yemen cannot bear it much longer - they need peace to rebuild their lives and their country," he added. | "The people of Yemen cannot bear it much longer - they need peace to rebuild their lives and their country," he added. |