Yemen: Diphtheria outbreak continues /update 5

Event

The number of reported diphtheria cases in Yemen continues to rise, with 1725 suspected cases and 91 associated deaths reported as of mid-May. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Yemeni health authorities launched a large-scale vaccination campaign to combat the disease.

Context

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily infects the throat and upper airways and produces a toxin affecting other organs. The illness has an acute onset, and its main characteristics are sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen glands in the neck; the toxin may, in severe cases, cause myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy. The disease is spread through direct physical human contact or from breathing in the aerosolized secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals. A vaccine exists for this potentially fatal disease.

Advice

Individuals planning travel to or in Yemen are strongly advised to receive diphtheria and cholera vaccinations; a major cholera outbreak is also ongoing in the country. It is also advised to stock up on food and bottled water, and to conserve water as much as possible.

Regarding security concerns, the security environment throughout the country remains complex, and due to poor security conditions, most Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place, and professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.