Geospatial Analysis to Recognize the 2016-2017 Yemeni Cholera Epidemic - A Case Study of Sana'a City and Districts of Sana'a Governorate

Abstract

The United Nations have deemed the situation in Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Yemen is currently experiencing the largest cholera epidemic in recent history. The first cases were declared in September 2016, and over 1.1 million cases and 2,300 deaths have since been reported. The research relied on information available of the number of recorded cases of cholera from hospitals and health centers in Sana'a city and Sana'a Governor ate. Spatial statistical analysis is the most intriguing and remarkable aspect of GIS. In this study, Some of Spatial statistical analysis methods were used to figure out the volume of cholera outbreak in Yemen. Hot and cold spot, interpolation distance weighted (IDW), ordinary least square (OLS), and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were used. The analysis shows a high concentration of concentrations in hospitals located in Sana'a city and parts of Sana'a governorate adjacent to the capital Sana'a, especially areas in the north and west parts of the city. The large number of recorded cases of cholera is due to the contamination of rainwater with wastewater sewage in the agricultural areas adjacent to the sewage channel. During the rainfall season, this led to the flooding of agricultural areas with such water, which led to contamination of vegetables and fruits. In addition, farmers in that area use electrical generators to vacuum water from sewage channel and to irrigate crops.