At least four die, dozens hospitalized as unknown epidemic strikes

HODEIDA, June 19 (Saba) - At least four people, three Yemeni women
and a Somali, have died and dozens rushed to hospitals when an
unidentified epidemic largely spread in Yemen's western Hodeida
province.

The disease soared largely Friday in the district of Dhamy, with
medical sources saying its effects like those of cholera and the
affected people are vomiting and suffering diarrhea.

About 65 people are being hospitalized after the disease which
slightly started on Thursday soared through the weekend.

A doctor has told www.alsahwa-yemen.net that even if the effects of
the disease are similar to those of cholera, it remains a different
epidemic.

It is probably due to food poisoning, medical doctor Mohammed Abu
Talib said, affirming the authorities in the province were informed
about it.

Meanwhile, local sources told the website that medical centers in
the area lack specialized medics as they said that the most affected
are poor and can't afford payment for treatment at private hospitals
in the city.