Yemen faces new surge in cholera cases: UN

Yemen faces a possible third wave of a cholera epidemic, the UN warned on Thursday, following a jump in the number of suspected cases over recent weeks.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said current rains were increasing the risk of infection in the war-torn country, which has seen 1.1 million suspected cases since last April.

"The number of suspected cholera cases has been increasing over the last two months in Yemen," he said.

"Between the beginning of the year and mid-August 2018, nearly 120,000 suspected cases have been reported.

"Although this figure is lower than during the same period in 2017, the increasing rate of infections over recent weeks is raising concerns of a possible third wave of the epidemic." 

Dujarric confirmed that medical supplies to treat over half a million people were ready for use in high risk areas.

The UN's warning follows that of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which raised the alarm for a potential major surge in infections earlier this month.

The UN has described the situation in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. 

Earlier this month, Saudi-led airstrikes hit water facilities and other civilian infrastructure in the port city of Hodeida, through which three quarters of Yemen's imports flow through.

The strikes damaged a sanitation facility and a station that supplies most of the city's water.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of Yemen's capital Sanaa in September 2014, and later pushed south toward the port city of Aden. 

The Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict in March 2015 against the Houthis and has faced criticism for a campaign of airstrikes that has killed civilians and destroyed hospitals and markets.

The Houthis, meanwhile, have laid land mines, killing and wounding civilians. They have also targeted religious minorities and imprisoned opponents. The stalemated war has killed more than 10,000 people.

Agencies contributed to this report. 

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