UN: Over 6,000 Measles Cases, 25 Child Deaths in Yemen in Q1 2026

United Nations data reveals over 6,000 suspected measles cases and 25 child fatalities in Yemen during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting a significant public health concern.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a recent report on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, stated that more than 6,000 suspected measles cases among children were reported nationwide between January 1 and March 31, 2026. Approximately 2,500 of these cases were confirmed through laboratory tests, with 25 virus-related deaths recorded, underscoring the severity of the ongoing outbreak.

The report indicates that measles continues to pose a grave threat to the lives of Yemeni children, exacerbated by widespread food insecurity and deteriorating nutritional conditions, which significantly increase the risks of infection and health complications.

OCHA explained that vaccine hesitancy, the spread of misinformation regarding immunizations, and worsening economic conditions are major factors limiting children's access to vaccination services and essential healthcare. These challenges are particularly acute in remote and conflict-affected areas, as well as in overcrowded displacement camps, where access to health facilities remains extremely limited.

The humanitarian coordination office warned that continued underinvestment in vaccination programs, health surveillance, and community awareness initiatives will lead to an increase in child mortality from preventable diseases, most notably measles.