The health minister said the Houthis have been spreading rumors against vaccination Yemen was declared polio-free in 2006 DUBAI: Yemen’s Health Minister Naser Baoom has blamed the Houthis for the resurgence of infant polio in the country, saying the militia group has been spreading rumors against vaccination. Baoom, who noted Yemen was declared polio-free in 2006, said the Houthi “smear campaign is based on extremist religious edifications that do not take account of the disastrous effects of preaching.” The statements were made in a video conference with the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.