The World Health Organization has announced a rise in dengue fever cases in southern Yemen, with 3,900 infections and 14 deaths recorded since the beginning of this year.

According to a report issued by the organization, the governorates of Aden and Lahj have witnessed a wide-scale outbreak, prompting health authorities to launch a comprehensive campaign to combat the spread of the virus, supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

Containment Efforts and Health Challenges

The campaign includes key measures such as larvae control, health awareness programs, and targeted fogging, aimed at curbing the disease’s spread and reducing mortality rates.

However, the United Nations has warned that a lack of humanitarian funding could lead to the closure of an additional 771 health centers, depriving 7 million people of medical services, as Yemen’s fragile health system struggles with scarce resources.

Epidemics Amid a Humanitarian Crisis

The outbreak of dengue fever comes at a time when Yemen is grappling with one of the worst cholera epidemics, in addition to rising malnutrition rates, with more than 17 million Yemenis facing food insecurity, including 1.3 million pregnant and nursing women and 2.3 million children under five years old.

Amid these dire conditions, international organizations continue their efforts to provide medical and humanitarian aid, facing enormous challenges that threaten the lives of millions in Yemen.