Yemen risks massive resurgence of cholera: Oxfam
AFP
Khokha, Yemen
Oxfam has warned that war-torn Yemen risks a “massive resurgence” of cholera, with around 195,000 suspected cases of the disease recorded so far this year.
“Fears that the worlds worst cholera outbreak could be set for a massive resurgence are growing,” the relief organisation said Thursday.
It said aid agencies were struggling to reach suspected cases.
In a statement, Oxfam pointed to “fighting and restraints on access, including checkpoints and permit requirements imposed by the warring parties”, and warned the coming rainy season was likely to accelerate the spread of the disease.
The water-borne bacterial infection has claimed more than 3,000 lives in Yemen since the outbreak began in 2016, according to Oxfam.
At a medical centre for the displaced in the government-held western town of Khokha, Qassem Suleiman had brought his son Alaa for tests after a serious case of diarrhoea.
Doctor Wadah al-Tiri told AFP that several patients had been transferred to Aden while others had been treated at the Khokha centre.
He said a tent was to be set up for suspected cases.
The doctor said Yemen badly needed international aid to combat the epidemic.
The UNs humanitarian coordination office OCHA said last month that children under the age of five make up nearly a third of this years cases.
The spike, which comes two years after Yemen suffered its worst cholera outbreak, was concentrated in six governorates including in the Red Sea port of Hodeida and Sanaa province, both combat zones, it said.
