World Health: 257 Diphtheria Deaths in Yemen in 26 Months

World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations has reported 257 deaths from diphtheria in 26 months in Yemen.
The organization said in a tweet published through the official account of its office in Sana’a, on Monday, it has “protected 3.4 million children from diphtheria disease by vaccination against the disease in 186 districts in Yemen.”

The WHO pointed out that 4,541 suspected cases of diphtheria were reported with 257 deaths from the disease during the period from 12 August 2017 to 12 October. Diphtheria is transmitted through a germ called diphtheria, which mainly affects the mouth, eyes, nose, and sometimes the skin.

The incubation period is from 2 to 6 days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday that a quarter of a million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation, stressing that the ongoing conflict and the resulting economic crisis are key factors behind food insecurity in Yemen.

The organization stated that the conflict destroyed the vital civilian infrastructure in the country, an estimated 20 million people are food insecure in Yemen, and if there is no urgent intervention, nearly a quarter of a million people are on the verge of starvation.

It is noteworthy that the health sector in Yemen, suffering from a sharp deterioration due to aggression and siege, which led to the spread of epidemics, diseases and the closure of a large number of health facilities.