World Health Organization delivers medicine to Yemen to tackle diphtheria outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently delivered 1,000 vials of anti-toxins and 17 tons of medical supplies to Sana’a, Yemen, after a three-week delay caused by the closure of sea and air ports.

“It is shocking that in 2017, there are children dying of an ancient disease that is vaccine-preventable and can be easily treated,” Nevio Zagaria, the WHO country representative in Yemen, said.

There have been 189 clinically diagnosed cases of the disease and 20 deaths, mostly among children and young adults, in the last three months in the country. Most reported diphtheria cases and deaths have occurred in the Ibb governorate, but the outbreak has affected 13 total governorates.

“In recent days, children and adults have died while the medicines needed to save their lives were available only a few hours away,” Zagaria said. “We need unconditional and sustained access to all areas of Yemen to stop these unconscionable deaths from malnutrition, cholera, and now diphtheria.”

Sana’a and Hodeida are the closest points of entry to Ibb.

During November, WHO, UNICEF, and partners have vaccinated 8,500 children under five years old in the al-Sadah and Yarim districts in the Ibb governorate. A campaign to vaccinate 300,000 children younger than 12 months began on Saturday. Further vaccination rounds for more than 3 million children and young adults in priority districts are planned for December.