The United Nations, on Monday, expressed concern about the "rapid deterioration" of the cholera epidemic in Yemen, with more than 40,000 suspected cases since October, especially in areas controlled by the Houthi rebels.

Relief operations official at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council: “We are extremely concerned about the rapid deterioration of the cholera epidemic. 40,000 suspected infections and more than 160 deaths have been reported.” "A huge increase" since last month.

He stressed that "most of the cases are in areas under Houthi control, where hundreds of new cases are reported daily."

So far, 34,000 suspected infections have been reported since October in areas under Houthi control, more than three times the number reported a month ago (11,000 cases, 75 deaths) and 6,000 cases in government-controlled areas (compared to 3,200 a month ago), according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).