In brief: Dengue fever infiltrates war-torn Yemen
SANAA, Yemen – Thousands of people have been diagnosed with dengue fever in southern Yemen, where fighting has raged for months between Shiite rebels and their opponents, international organizations and health officials said Thursday.
The top health ministry official in the southern port city of Aden, al-Khadr Al-Aswar, told the Associated Press that at least 5,000 people have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus. He said mountains of uncollected garbage, along with untreated sewage and heat, have contributed to the spread of the disease.
The World Health Organization said last week that at least 3,000 suspected cases have been reported since March in several provinces, including Ade, with three people dying from the disease. Dengue causes fever, headaches and skin rashes. Potentially lethal cases, mainly in children, involve abdominal pain, vomiting and difficulty breathing, according to the WHO.
Center-right wins Denmark election
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Denmark’s center-right opposition won a parliamentary election after strong gains by an anti-immigration party that wants to limit the European Union’s influence over the small Nordic country.
With all votes counted, preliminary official results showed the opposition bloc led by Lars Loekke Rasmussen, a former prime minister, would get the 90 seats needed to secure a majority in the 179-seat legislature.
His main opponent Helle Thorning-Schmidt conceded defeat, saying she would resign as prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party today.
Pirates flee tanker, crew members OK
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Pirates who hijacked a Malaysian oil tanker last week have fled on the ship’s lifeboat after being pursued by a Malaysian navy ship, officials said today.
Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the eight pirates, believed to be Indonesians, abandoned the MT Orkim Harmony late Thursday. All 22 crew members were safe, except for an Indonesian cook who was shot in the thigh, Abdul Aziz tweeted.
The tanker, carrying 2 million gallons was headed to Kuantan when communications were lost June 11.