Malaria increases prompt travel notice for Yemen

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice (Level 2 – Practice Enhanced Precautions) due to an increase of malaria in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 64% of the country’s population lives in high-risk areas. Nationally, estimates suggest between two to three million infections occur annually.

Epidemiological surveillance data for 2025 recorded 116,000 confirmed malaria cases in Yemen, with 1259 hospitalizations and 11 deaths, according to news outlets citing the Ministry of Health in Sana’a.

In Taiz governorate alone, more than 22,000 infections were recorded since the beginning of the year.

Malaria in Yemen is caused almost exclusively by Plasmodium falciparum, which accounted for approximately 99.5% of confirmed cases in 2023.

The CDC advises that malaria is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

• Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and taking a prescription antimalarial drug.

• If you are traveling to Yemen, you should speak to your healthcare professional about which antimalarial drug is right for you. You will need to start taking this medicine prior to your departure and continue taking it during and after your trip.

• Seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, headache, vomiting, or body aches during or after travel, and tell your doctor that you have been in an area with malaria.

Early symptoms of malaria are similar to those of the flu, including fever, chills, sweats, headache, vomiting, and body aches.

Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, malaria can rapidly progress to severe illness and death.

Malaria is a medical emergency. Do not delay treatment.