The most likely source of the cholera epidemic in Yemen has been discovered by scientists. Through the use of genomic sequencing, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Institut Pasteur estimate the strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yemen – the worst cholera outbreak in recorded history – came from Eastern Africa and entered Yemen with the migration of people in and out of the region.
The results, published today in Nature show that genomic data and technologies can enable researchers to estimate the risk of future cholera outbreaks in regions like the Yemen and ultimately be used to better target interventions.
Yemen is facing the worst epidemic of cholera since records began. The disease has affected over 1 million people and caused almost 2,500 deaths. The United Nations estimate that 16 million of the 29 million people in Yemen lack access to safe water and basic sanitation.
Read more at Wellcome Sanger Institute
- Yemen cholera and diphtheria: ‘The ongoing war and blockade are sending Yemen’s health system decades back in time’
- Yemen cholera epidemic update, Forecasting the outbreak
- Yemen cholera outbreak is now the largest ever in any country in a single year:
- Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition is responsible for the ‘worst cholera outbreak in the world’
- Yemen: Cholera cases top 1 million, 10 percent of suspected diphtheria cases are fatal
