UN Report: Nearly 5,000 New Suspected Cholera Cases in Yemen Since January

Aden — A new World Health Organization (WHO) report has revealed that Yemen has recorded 4,814 new suspected cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) between January 1 and May 31, 2026, with seven related deaths.

The update, released Wednesday as part of WHO’s global epidemiological bulletin, noted that Yemen is among three countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region to report cholera-related fatalities during the period, alongside Sudan (61 deaths) and Afghanistan (18).

WHO highlighted that all reported cases since late April originated from areas under the control of the internationally recognized government (IRG), with no data available from Houthi-held territories due to ongoing access restrictions.

Globally, Yemen ranked seventh in cholera outbreaks during the first five months of 2026, behind Afghanistan (43,292 cases), the Democratic Republic of Congo (28,567), South Sudan (7,712), Mozambique (7,500), Nigeria (6,860), and Angola (4,852). Within the Eastern Mediterranean, Yemen recorded the second-highest number of cases after Afghanistan, and the third-highest death toll after Sudan and Afghanistan.

In May alone, Yemen reported 589 new suspected cases and one death in IRG-controlled areas.

WHO said cumulative global figures since January show 114,829 new cholera and AWD cases and 1,230 deaths across 23 countries in four regions.

The organization warned that Yemen’s fragile health system and limited surveillance capacity continue to complicate response efforts, leaving communities vulnerable to further outbreaks.