Fatal disease spreads in Yemen

Three years into the devastating Saudi-led war on Yemen, the UN health agency declared alarm over the rapid spread of a diphtheria outbreak in the country, saying some 1,300 Yemenis have affected the highly infectious disease.

Diphtheria has spread to all regions all over Yemen around six months after the outbreak was first reported in the war-torn country, according to The World Health Organization, Yemen Extra reported.

It added that over 70 people have lost their lives as a result of the disease, pointing out that mostly, around 80 percent, children and young adults.

WHO said on Friday that 11 provinces witness vaccinating around 2.7 million Yemeni children.

Diphtheria, a contagious disease which primarily infects the throat and breathing system, can rapidly spread in areas with poor health and hygiene situation. The disease can be deadly.

EA