Yemen: World Health Organisation says diphtheria outbreak in war-torn country has spread rapidly, infecting more than 1,300 people
Vaccination campaign targets 2.7 million children, as population suffer from ongoing proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The World Health Organisation says a diphtheria outbreak in war-torn Yemen has spread rapidly nationwide and infected more than 1,300 people.
The WHO said in a statement that children and young adults account for almost 80 per cent of cases and more than 70 people have died.
Diphtheria, first reported in Yemen in October last year, is a contagious and potentially fatal disease that primarily infects the throat and airways.
The WHO said on Friday that a vaccination campaign targeting 2.7 million Yemeni children has been completed in 11 governorates.
Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war pitting a Saudi-led coalition backing an internationally recognised government against Iran-backed Shiite rebels since March 2015.
The near three-year stalemated war has damaged Yemen’s infrastructure, crippled the health system and pushed it to the brink of famine.
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments