Aden – Yemen has reported more than 81,000 new suspected cases of cholera and acute watery diarrhea between January and September 2025, along with 225 confirmed deaths, according to the latest epidemiological update from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN agencies.

This surge places Yemen as the second-highest country in the world for cholera infections, trailing only behind the Democratic Republic of Congo. The alarming figures reflect the deepening public health crisis in a country already grappling with conflict, displacement, and a collapsing healthcare system.

Health officials say the outbreak has spread across multiple governorates, with the highest concentrations reported in densely populated and flood-prone areas. The lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care has exacerbated the spread of the disease, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and displaced families.

“The scale of the outbreak is unprecedented,” said a WHO spokesperson. “Yemen’s fragile health infrastructure is struggling to respond, and urgent international support is needed to contain the spread and save lives.”

The 225 deaths recorded so far represent one of the highest cholera-related fatality rates globally, with Yemen ranking third in mortality after South Sudan and Afghanistan. Aid agencies warn that the actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting and limited surveillance capacity in remote areas.

UN agencies, including UNFPA and UNICEF, have called for increased funding to expand cholera treatment centers, deploy mobile health teams, and improve water and sanitation services. Public health campaigns are also underway to raise awareness about prevention and early treatment.

As Yemen continues to face overlapping humanitarian emergencies, the cholera outbreak underscores the urgent need for coordinated health interventions and sustained global attention.