SANAA, Yemen 

A surge in suspected cases of measles among children in Yemen is adding to the plight of civilians in the war-torn nation.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains a significant cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

As of July, Yemen reported more than 34,000 suspected cases of measles and rubella, resulting in 413 deaths, up from 27,000 cases and 220 associated deaths last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The situation is made worse by the large number of children who simply cannot be reached to receive inoculations.

UN estimates suggest that 27% of children under one have either not received measles and rubella vaccines or not completed the required doses for full protection.

In an effort to stem the outbreak, the Yemeni government launched a vaccination campaign in 13 provinces on Sept. 23, in cooperation with the WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 1,267,000 children six months to five years old.

“My children are frequently exposed to diseases and infections,” Abdullah Ismail, a resident of Taiz city in southwestern Yemen, told Anadolu.

One of Ismail’s children was diagnosed with measles.

“Thank God, he recovered and did not lose his life amid the current health conditions in Yemen,” he said.

Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

- Catastrophic

Yemeni physician Mohammad al-Jalal said measles has become widespread in Yemen.

“The situation is catastrophic amid the rising number of measles infections,” he told Anadolu.

Jalal blamed the lack of vaccination for the outbreak of the disease in Yemen.

Many families “refuse to vaccinate their children due to ignorance,” he added.

The physician noted that vaccines have temporary side effects such as pain and fever.

“These side effects cause parents to refrain from vaccinating their children, even though they do not cause any health risks,” he added.

Jalal warned that the more children are unvaccinated, the easier the infection spreads.

“Parents need to be aware of the [health risks] in order to protect their children against diseases, including measles,” he added.

- Reluctance

Officials say the measles is spreading across Yemen, particularly in areas held by Houthi rebels.

“Measles continues to spread in Taiz province, especially in areas under Houthi control,” Tayseer al-Samei, a Health Ministry spokesman in Taiz, told Anadolu.

He said 48 deaths and over 2,000 suspected cases were reported in the province this year.

“Many families refuse to vaccinate their children for fear of being exposed to side effects,” Samei said.

The WHO blames the increase in measles and rubella cases among Yemeni children to the economic decline and low incomes, displacement, and overcrowded living conditions in camps, coupled with an overwhelmed health system, low immunization rates, and a large number of children who remain unreachable through routine immunization interventions.

“Houthis are also responsible for the spread of the disease by banning vaccination campaigns in areas under their control,” Samei said.

The Yemeni spokesman appealed to families to vaccinate their children against measles “in order to preserve their lives.”

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi