Concerning Rise in Measles Cases in Yemen’s Hadramout; Hundreds of Children at Risk
Yemen Monitor/Al Mukalla/Special:
Health authorities in Yemen’s eastern Hadramout governorate announced on Monday a sharp and concerning increase in measles cases. This has prompted warnings of a potential epidemic that could spiral out of control amid the country’s deteriorating health conditions.
The General Health Office in Coastal Hadramout reported 494 suspected measles cases, with 53 confirmed in labs, and five deaths among children.
Officials revealed that nearly 70% of those infected had not received any measles vaccine, highlighting the consequences of widespread disruptions to immunization campaigns and vaccine hesitancy.
The outbreak is concentrated in specific areas. Al Mukalla recorded 161 cases, followed by Al Dis Al Sharqiyah with 112 cases, and Hajar with 78 cases. Other cases were found in Al Shihr, Ghail Bawazir, Al Raydah Wa Qusai’ir, and Brom Mayfa’a.
Health authorities warned that Hadramout is facing a “public health emergency,” compounded by the spread of other epidemics such as dengue fever, which has 412 suspected cases, and cholera, with 184 cases. They noted that the medical infrastructure remains weak and access to healthcare is limited in remote areas.
In light of these developments, humanitarian organizations have called for urgent international support to contain the spread of the disease and restore vaccination campaign coverage, especially among the most vulnerable children.
