Yemen is experiencing a significant and concerning increase in measles infections during the first five months of the current year, with thousands of cases and dozens of deaths reported, according to recent health data. Health statistics reveal approximately 12,791 measles cases and 71 fatalities across several governorates. This trend indicates a worrying and persistent spread of the disease, particularly posing a threat to the health of children. Taysir Al-Samai, a health media official at the Ministry of Health and Population office in Taiz Governorate, stated that Hadhramaut recorded the highest rates of infection and death, with 4,500 cases and 18 fatalities. This was followed by Taiz with 1,590 cases and 15 deaths, and then Aden with 1,420 cases and 11 deaths. Al-Samai added that other governorates and regions are also witnessing a rise in the disease's prevalence. He noted that unofficial estimates suggest tens of thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths, partly due to a lack of precise data and the reluctance of some entities to disclose figures. The health official attributed the outbreak of measles and other epidemic diseases to the spread of rumors and misinformation regarding vaccines, which has led some families to refuse vaccination for their children. Al-Samai emphasized that vaccination is the primary defense mechanism for protecting children against preventable diseases. He called for strengthening immunization programs, intensifying health awareness campaigns, and combating rumors to reduce infections and save children's lives. |
