The World Health Organization announced today, Thursday, that it had monitored the death of 109 people and the infection of 1,700 people with diphtheria in Yemen during the past ten months.

The organization said, in a press release today: “Reports monitored until last October 14 indicate that the number of diphtheria (diphtheria) cases in Yemen is 57% higher than it was in 2021 and 2022.”
The statement added, "So far, 1,671 suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported in the country, with 109 associated deaths, compared to 1,283 cases reported in the whole of 2022."
He continued: "Diphtheria is usually a disease." "In winter, the increase in cases observed last summer represents a change in the usual seasonal pattern."
The organization indicated that it is working to provide the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population with an urgent quantity of 2,200 vials of diphtheria antitoxin (or diphtheria antidote). ), which will be distributed in the most affected areas.
The statement pointed out that “due to the complexities of the situation in Yemen, only 220 vials have been delivered so far, while the global shortage of diphtheria antidote affects the possibility of providing it and increases its prices.” .

The statement stated that “the doses that the World Health Organization was able to provide are only sufficient to treat 300 patients in critical condition, which is an insufficient number to address this problem.”
The statement quoted Dr. Arturo Besigan, the World Health Organization’s representative in Yemen, as warning. By saying, “It is expected that multiple and increasing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, will continue in 2024, with the percentage of children who are not immunized or who have not been vaccinated with any vaccine dose reaching 28%.”
He added that” The lack of funding and lack of access for a large number of Yemenis will negatively affect the health and lives of the most vulnerable people in Yemen.”
The UN official added, “The World Health Organization continues to monitor and analyze data on outbreaks and reported cases on a weekly basis, to ensure a full understanding of the epidemiological situation in Yemen.”
The health sector in Yemen is suffering from a sharp deterioration, causing the spread of diseases and epidemics, as a result of the repercussions of the war that has been ongoing for nearly nine years.