Barran Press
On Monday, December 2, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Yemen has recorded 1,051,287 suspected cases of malaria and 13,739 suspected cases of dengue fever since the beginning of 2024.
In a statement monitored by "Barran Press," the organization highlighted that climatic, geographical, social, and economic factors make the western coastal areas particularly vulnerable. The recent weather fluctuations, including heavy rains, have contributed to the spread of vector-borne diseases, putting vulnerable communities at risk.
In early August, WHO reported that heavy rains caused severe flooding in many parts of Yemen, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and flooding streets and homes.
The organization explained that poor sanitation increased the risk of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water from the floods created breeding sites for mosquitoes, raising the risk of malaria and dengue fever outbreaks. The limited access to clean water forced people to store available supplies in containers inside their homes, creating additional mosquito breeding sites.
According to the statement, Yemen is one of six countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region with areas of high malaria transmission, accounting for most malaria cases in the Arabian Peninsula.
The World Malaria Report estimates that over 21 million people in Yemen are at risk of malaria. Dengue fever, which overlaps with malaria in endemic areas, is also a major public health issue.
WHO reported its collaboration with Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population and the National Malaria Control Program, supported by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, to conduct a larval spraying campaign from September 19 to 24.
The campaign, involving 40 teams, benefited over 4 million people in the governorates of Al-Mahwit, Amran, Hajjah, Al-Hudaydah, and Sana'a. The initial survey identified 4,664 villages and valleys for potential intervention, confirming 1,160 areas as positive breeding environments.
WHO indicated that Al-Hudaydah recorded the highest concentration, accounting for 48% of the targeted areas.
Among the positive mosquito breeding sites, 58% were natural, and 42% were man-made. The percentage of man-made sites is increasing annually, often due to constructing water barriers and drying riverbeds for commercial sand extraction.
The campaign identified mosquito breeding sites in flood-affected areas, which were then controlled through permanent removal, drainage, or insect growth regulators, according to the statement.
According to the international organization, Yemen's healthcare system, suffering from some of the highest disease prevalence rates globally, has become overwhelmed. Poverty and harsh living conditions further jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of people.