5,000 infections per day The worst cholera epidemic in Yemen is spreading rapidly

Civil War: World's worst cholera outbreak in Yemen
The civil war in Yemen, which has been going on for years, has meant that the health system of the country has largely collapsed. The abuses contribute to a rapid spread of the cholera epidemic. Every day around 5,000 people become infected. More than 1,300 patients have already died from the dangerous infectious disease.

Number of infected soon at 300,000
Yemen is currently hit by the world's worst cholera outbreak. More than 200,000 suspected cases have been reported by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Every day around 5,000 people are newly infected. According to reports, since the beginning of the epidemic at the end of April more than 1,300 people have died of cholera in Yemen - a quarter of them children. The death toll will probably continue to rise. By the end of August, around 300,000 people are expected.

In Yemen, around 5,000 people are currently infected with cholera every day. Many patients die because the health care system in the civil war country has largely collapsed. (Image: Ezume Images / fotolia.com)

Destroyed health system and no clean water
Cholera bacteria are primarily spread over water that is contaminated with human fecal matter. Among other things, the infection leads to severe diarrhea and vomiting. Due to the extreme fluid loss, the disease can also lead to death.

In fact, cholera can be treated relatively easily and successfully, but in the civil war, the WHO estimates that the epidemic will be difficult to control.

The health care system in Yemen has been virtually wiped out in recent years as part of the violent conflicts. Less than half of the country's health centers are still fully functional.

There is a lack of medication and the medical staff has not received any salary for months. In addition, large parts of the population lack knowledge about how to prevent infection.

Many residents of the country are weakened because they do not have enough to eat. And about two-thirds of the approximately 27 million inhabitants have no access to clean water. The sewage systems and waste disposal often no longer work.

Fatal consequences especially for children
Especially for children, the current cholera epidemic has fatal consequences. "Children make up half of the suspected cholera cases and a quarter of reported deaths," says a recent UNICEF statement.

Dr. Meritxell Relano, UNICEF representative in Yemen, said in an earlier statement: "The outbreak makes a bad situation for children drastically worse. Many of the children who died of the disease were also severely malnourished. "

Today, for children in Yemen, with cholera, malnutrition and the relentless violence of the civil war, life is more of a desperate struggle for survival.

The situation is not likely to improve so quickly. According to political observers, peace negotiations are currently at a standstill.

The measures to contain the cholera epidemic must increase enormously in the coming months. (Ad)