Diphtheria in Yemen - Marc Poncin's explanations (ENG)

Diphtheria can be FATAL. If untreated,
up to 40% of infected can die.
But many Yemenis can’t access Healthcare.

MSF218818

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Diphtérie au Yémen - Explications de Marc Poncin (FR)

Subt. French

A suspected outbreak of diphtheria in Yemen

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Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF218818

Date taken / Date Recorded 22/12/2017 12:00 AM

Country Yemen

Commissioning section MSF-SWITZERLAND

Copyright MSF

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Editor's rating ★★★ (F)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 1m27s

Maximum Size 1920px × 1080px 156.45 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist What’s happening in Yemen today?

Currently in Yemen, we have 300 cases, a case fatality ratio of around 12%, but among children under 5, we have 25%, meaning one child infected out of four has died of diphtheria.

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a disease that’s easily preventable through vaccination It is a respiratory tract infection with the forming of a membrane that can lead to respiratory distress.

How can we treat this disease?

There are two treatments for diphtheria: the first one is diphtheria antitoxin, this is the life-saving treatment and this is the one that prevents diphtheria from becoming severe. There is a global shortage of this drug. If the outbreak spreads more, we might face a shortage of drugs for the patients.

Why is diphtheria appearing in Yemen now?

Diphtheria today is reappearing in the country – the previous outbreak was in 1982, 35 years ago, meaning that the current situation : the war in Yemen, is bringing the country decades backwards.