Cholera in Yemen (Update 6)

The World Health Organisation reports 390,865 suspected cholera cases and1864 deaths in Yemen from 27 April 2017 to 23 July 2017. During week ending 23 July 2017, a total of 35 052 suspected cholera cases and 53 deaths were reported. A total of 21 out of 23 governorates and 295 out of 333 districts have reported suspected cases since 27 April 2017. The five most affected governorates are Amanat Al Asimah, Al Hudaydah, Hajjah, Amran and Ibb.

Advice for Travellers

Cholera is rare in travellers, mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on maintaining good food, water and hand hygiene, see traveller's diarrhoea, safe eating and drinking and water purification.

Travellers should be advised on basic steps in self - treating diarrhoea, particularly maintaining hydration.

When to consider vaccination

Vaccination should be considered under the following circumstances and is dependant on the individual risk assessment:

Volunteers/aid workers/medical personnel in disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks likely.

Those travelling to work in slums/refugee camps, areas affected by natural disasters, or countries experiencing cholera outbreaks (see current notes on the country concerned).

For further information see Cholera