Disease

Yemen - Cholera Epidemic Rages on

The total number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen this year hit the half a million mark on Sunday, and nearly 2000 people have died since the outbreak began to spread rapidly at the end of April. From Apr. 27 through Aug. 13, 503,484 suspected cases have been reported, including 1,975 deaths.

The overall caseload nationwide has declined since early July, particularly in the worst affected areas. But suspected cases of the deadly waterborne disease continue to rage across the country, infecting an estimated 5000 people per day.

Fleas in Arizona test positive for plague

Health officials in Arizona have issued a public warning after fleas in the state tested positive for the plague, the highly infectious disease which tore through Europe and killed millions in the Middle Ages.

Navajo County and Coconino County district officials in the northern part of the state have confirmed that fleas in the area tested positive for the disease.

The disease can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected flea or by direct contact with an infected animal.

Plague tends to occur in rural and semi-rural areas in the west of the US, in particular New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.