News: Number of people killed by latest #Cholera outbreak in #Bale, #Oromia and #Liben, #Somali regions spike to 20, over half a million at high risk

The UN says 20 people have died and number of reported cases reached 491 as cholera outbreak spread to 41 kebeles of 4 woredas of Bale Zone of Oromia and 2 woredas of Liban zone of Somali region as of 23 November 2022.

According to the report the number of affected people has increased by 28 per cent in the last two weeks. A preceding report put the death toll and number of cases at 9 and 330 respectively as of 31 October.

Harana Buluk, Berbere, Delo Mena and Gura Damole in Bale zone of Oromia, and Quarsadula and Guradamole in neighboring Liban zone of Somali region are the woredas hit by the outbreak.

https://addisstandard.com/news-number-of-people-killed-by-latest-cholera-outbreak-in-bale-oromia-and-liben-somali-regions-spike-to-20-over-half-a-million-at-high-risk/

News: Ongoing #Cholera outbreak kills 28 in four zones of #Oromia, #Somali regions, leaves close to one million people at high risk: #UN

The latest report by the UN reveals that the Cholera outbreak has spread out to 66 kebeles of 8 woredas across Bale, Guji and West Arsi zones of Oromia and 2 woredas of Liban zone of Somali region, rising the total number of cholera cases reported as of 30 January 2023 to 1,055 – of whom 191 IDPs – including 28 associated deaths. Close to one million people are at high-risk in the 10 affected woredas.

As of 30 January 2023, 1,055 cholera cases have been reported in 6 woredas of Bale zone (Berbere, Harana Buluk, Goro, Delo Mena, Gura Damole, Meda Welabu), Girja woreda of Guji zone, Nenesebo woreda of West Arsi zone, 2 woredas of Liban zone (Guradamole and Karsadula). Out of 28 associated deaths confirmed in these 10 affected woredas, Guradamole woreda of Liban zone (13) and Berbere woreda of Bale zone (5) reported the highest number of deaths so far.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ongoing-cholera-outbreak-kills-28-in-four-zones-of-oromia-somali-regions-leaves-close-to-one-million-people-at-high-risk-un/

News: #Measles, #cholera outbreaks pose deadly threat to already malnourished children in #Ethiopia

Children are facing a growing risk of disease as cholera and measles outbreaks tighten their grip on Ethiopia, raising fears for the many vulnerable children already suffering from malnutrition.

A cholera outbreak is affecting the #Oromia and #Somali regions, with at least 1,055 cases reported, including 28 deaths, since September 2022. In the past month alone, more than 316 cases have been reported in the two regions, a 30% jump from 739 cases at the end of December 2022, with one million people at risk of the disease in the two regions.

Spikes in measles cases have also been reported with 357 new measles cases and 6 deaths reported in the last week of January alone, according to health authorities.

A deadly combination of severe water shortages, poor hygiene and sanitation services, including open defecation and lack of water treatment options are driving the rapid spread of cholera, with severe drought exacerbating the situation.

https://addisstandard.com/news-measles-cholera-outbreaks-pose-deadly-threat-to-already-malnourished-children-in-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia #Cholera outbreak latest update

Active cholera outbreak is ongoing in 12 woredas in #Oromia, 10 woredas of Harena Buluk, Berbere, Gura Damole, Meda wolabo, Goro Bale Zone, Girja Guji zone, Nensebo West Arsi, Dawa Kachen and Ginir East Bale.

In Somali regions 2 woredas of Kersadula and Guradamole. Somali in Liben zone, 120 kebeles are cholera outbreak affected as of reporting 14th February 2023. Cholera outbreak was also reported from Internal Displaced Population (IDP): 191 reported so far, no new case from IDP. Overall, more than 1 million people are now at risk in the 2 regions, Oromia being the most vulnerable as of now.

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-cholera-outbreak-operational-update-mdret028

Commentary: Ever-increasing #Cholera outbreak in #Oromia Region may lead to disastrous consequences – #OPA

Cholera cases have been on the rise from 2015 to 2023, creating an even greater challenge for the region. In that time frame, there have been 109 cases and 1 death in 2015, 5232 cases and 59 deaths in 2016, 3433 cases and 21 deaths in 2017, 123 cases in 2018, 970 cases and 5 deaths in 2019, 1488 cases and 13 deaths in 2020, 604 cases and 4 deaths in 2021, and 1329 cases and 22 deaths in 2022, resulting in an average case fatality rate of 1.7% in the region, beyond the World Health Organization’s acceptable rate of 1%. The outbreak has been mainly concentrated in 4 zones and 97 woredas, with Bale Zone having the highest case fatality rate of 3.1%, and Delo Mena woreda’s case fatality reaching as high as 9.1%.

The main cause of these outbreaks is the failure to effectively implement the four steps necessary for the control of outbreaks and pandemics: prevention, response, management and control.

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-ever-increasing-cholera-outbreak-in-oromia-region-may-lead-to-disastrous-consequences-opa/

News: New cross-border #Cholera outbreak kills five in #Moyale town, vicinity areas

By Medihane Ekubamichael

A new cholera outbreak since the last two weeks has so far claimed the lives of five people in Moyale town, in the Ethio-#Kenyan border.

Borena Zone, Moyale town Health Office Head, Boru Huka confirmed to #AddisStandard the death of the five people from the outbreak so far; two of them died in the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) at Moyale town, while the three others were reported to have died dead before reaching the CTC.

According to Boru, the case has been rising with up 15 cases per day. The number of confirmed cases has now reached of 50 and the patients are receiving isolated treatment at the CTC.

Abdireshid Ibrahim Aden, #Dawa zone disaster risk management coordinator from the #Somali region side, however told #Addis_Standard that they are waiting for the confirmation of the cases from samples sent to Hawassa, and that there was death report yet. The zone shares Moyale town as administrative seat with #Oromia region’s Borena zone.

https://addisstandard.com/news-new-cross-boundary-cholera-outbreak-kills-five-in-moyale-border-town-vicinity-areas/

News: Rising cases of #Cholera in Ethiopia as death toll reaches 50, 3.3 million people at high-risk

The spread of Cholera outbreak to East #Bale, #Guji and #Borena zones of #Oromia and #Dawa Zone of #Somali regions has resulted in the deaths so far of 50 people with 2,276 total cholera cases registered as of 23 March, the latest UN report said.

According to the report the total cholera caseload has doubled since the end of January 2023, and close to 3.3 million people are now at high-risk in those affected areas.

In January the Cholera outbreak was reported in 66 kebeles of 8 woredas across Bale, Guji and West Arsi zones of Oromia and 2 woredas of Liban zone of Somali regions with a total number of 1,055 cases reported as of 30 January 2023. Currently, the outbreak has spread to 177 kebeles across 22 woredas (of whom 18 in Oromia). Moyale woreda both from Oromia and Somali sides is the latest to report the outbreak.

According to the UN, between 12 and 18 March, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reported 363 new cholera cases, the highest numbers reported since the beginning of the outbreak in Harana Buluk woreda of Bale Zone of Oromia on 27 August 2022.

https://addisstandard.com/news-un-alarms-rising-cases-of-cholera-in-ethiopia-as-death-toll-reaches-50-3-3-million-people-at-high-risk/

#Sudan: 'High bio-hazard risk' in Sudan after laboratory seized, #WHO says

There is a "high risk of biological hazard" in the Sudanese capital Khartoum after one of the warring parties seized a #laboratory holding #measles and #cholera pathogens and other hazardous materials, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva via video link from Sudan, the WHO's Nima Saeed Abid said technicians were unable to access the National Public Health Laboratory to secure the materials.

"This is the main concern: no accessibility to the lab technicians to go to the lab and safely contain the biological material and substances available," he said, declining to specify which side had seized the facility.

Fighting erupted between the Sudanese armed forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries on April 15 and has killed at least 459 people and injured 4,072, according to the WHO's latest figures.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-humanitarian-office-reduces-sudan-operations-due-fighting-2023-04-25/

#Ethiopia: #Cholera death rises to 153 since initial outbreak in August 2022.

According to the UNOCHA, the ongoing #cholera outbreak has expanded to 85 woredas across #Oromia, #Somali, #SNNP & #Sidama regions.

“10,000+ people are reported to have been affected with 153 deaths reported,” UN said.

“Partners are supporting the response with limited resources available.”

#Ethiopia: Key updates on latest #IDPs, #malaria & #cholera outbreaks, and #acute_malnutrition situation report

*Support to 54,600 displaced people ongoing in their return areas in #Gulo_Makeda, #Tigray, but response not meeting scale of needs

*Trend of admissions of children with severe acute malnutrition with medical complication shows a worrisome increase in #Afar

*Over 350,000 people affected by #malaria in #Afar,
#Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s (#SNNP) regions; scale up of response required for control

*#Cholera outbreak spreads across 74 woredas in #Oromia, #Somali, #Sidama and #SNNP; outbreak ongoing for close to a year. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-situation-report-3-jul-2023

#Ethiopia: #Cholera outbreak in Ethiopia escalates as #UN reports nearly 400 new cases in a week

The World Health Organization's (WHO) latest figures show over 20,000 cases of cholera and 271 related deaths across seven regions in Ethiopia.

WHO has established Cholera Treatment Centers across Ethiopia to deal with the outbreak that started in August last year.
“Now, individuals suffering from cholera can receive the quality medical attention they require,” WHO said in a statement.

However, local media sources suggest that the cholera outbreak has spread even more extensively, affecting 11 regions within the past year and claiming the lives of 320 people.

Tragically, deaths from cholera are being reported on a daily basis. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/cholera-outbreak-in-ethiopia-escalates-as-un-reports-nearly-400-new-cases-in-a-week/2995783

#Ethiopia: #Amhara region Public Health Institute said that a #Cholera outbreak in the region has claimed the lives of 76 people in West #Gonder zone in #Qwara district alone.

The outbreak, including in areas where there are ongoing clashes between government security forces and the non-state #Fano militia are happening, further compounds reports of more than one million people who are in need of emergency food assistance due to #drought.

Abraham Amsalu, Director of the Institute for Prevention and Control of Public Health Disasters, said that "the cholera outbreak is spreading" and is testing a region gripped by conflict and drought. He added that the latest cholera outbreak is reported in Debre Birhan city over the last last three days. https://addisstandard.com/Amharic/?p=1901

#Ethiopia: #Cholera outbreak death toll rises to 300: #WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest situation update that an ongoing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia has claimed some 300 lives so far.

According to the organization's latest bulletin, the ongoing cholera outbreak, since August 27, 2022, has spread to 113 districts in 10 regions of Ethiopia.

The number of cholera deaths increased from 172 on July 12 to 300 as of Oct. 3 with a case fatality rate of 1.24 percent, according to the report.

The number of cholera cases also increased from 13,118 to 24,197 during the reported period.

According to the report, the ongoing response interventions have managed to control the outbreak in the country. However, it expressed concern as some districts are seeing a re-emergence of cholera cases.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1711623412173439419?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

News: #EU provides €1 million in humanitarian aid to fight Cholera outbreak in #Ethiopia

The EU has pledged €1 million in humanitarian funding to help Ethiopia combat a severe #cholera_outbreak. The outbreak has affected over 26,000 people and caused over 370 deaths. The funding will be used to improve healthcare services, prevention efforts, and access to safe water and sanitation.

The cholera crisis adds to existing challenges caused by conflicts, climate shocks, and the El Niño pattern.

Ethiopia is facing a significant funding gap for its humanitarian appeal, making it difficult to respond to the outbreak and other health emergencies.

https://addisstandard.com/news-eu-provides-e1-million-in-humanitarian-aid-to-fight-cholera-outbreak-in-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia: At least 23 die of #cholera in #Somali region as outbreak continues posing deadly threat to thousands
In the worst hit district of Kelafo in the Somali region, Save the Children teams are reporting a huge spike in cholera cases among children under five, who account for nearly 80% of the confirmed cases.

For the better part of this year, when the impacted region was engulfed by drought, cases of the waterborne disease were on the decline, with the Somali region reporting zero cases of cholera for 11 straight weeks until mid-September, when the rains started. Now, a deadly combination of flooded water systems, a lack of basic sanitation services and damaged water treatment plants has driven the spike in the deadly illness.

At least 91 districts across Ethiopia are reporting cases of cholera, with the situation expected to worsen as rains continue to fall in the #Gambella, #Afar and #Somali regions. https://addisstandard.com/?p=39735

#Ethiopia: Four million Ethiopians on the brink as food crises escalate

The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (#DRMC) and the #UN have issued a joint statement addressing a severe humanitarian crisis impacting around four million people in drought-stricken areas. Over the past year, repeated droughts have devastated agriculture and food accessibility in regions like# Afar, #Amhara, #Tigray, #Oromia, #Southern, and #Southwest Ethiopia.

The prolonged absence of rainfall has led to crop and livestock loss, exacerbating acute food insecurity. Malnutrition rates have surged due to a lack of nutritious food, and critical water shortages pose a threat of waterborne diseases like #malaria, #measles, and #cholera.

Despite government efforts and aid distributions, the crisis persists. From July to December 2023, 7.3 million received aid, with additional assistance reaching 6.5 million since mid-December. However, the DRMC and UN warn that without increased relief and donor support, the situation may worsen.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) predicts a dramatic rise in food insecurity, with four million at risk by mid-2024 without intervention. The interim administration of Tigray has urgently pleaded for aid, citing a humanitarian disaster from war and drought, evoking memories of the devastating 1984/85 famine.

https://addisstandard.com/news-four-million-ethiopians-on-the-brink-as-food-crises-escalate/

Urgent appeal for humanitarian aid in #Ethiopia as #WHO warns of worsening crisis

In an urgent plea for international support, Michael Ryan, deputy director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), conveyed the dire situation facing Ethiopia during the high-level pledging event for the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia held on 16 April, 2024.

Addressing global leaders on behalf of Tedros Adhanom, director general of WHO, Ryan emphasized the critical need for immediate action amidst widespread hunger and disease plaguing regions like #Tigray, #Amhara, #Afar, and #Oromia.

According to him, Ethiopia is grappling with its largest #cholera_outbreak in history, with over 41,000 reported cases across eight regions. Additionally, malaria and measles cases are alarmingly high, further straining an already overwhelmed healthcare system.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1780495469728137329

#Ethiopia: Following cholera outbreak in #Bati district, #Amhara health authorities take action to contain the spread of the disease

Health authorities are swiftly responding to reports of a cholera outbreak in the Bati district of the #Oromia special zone within the Amhara region. Belay Bezabhi, Director General of the Amhara Public Health Institute, emphasized concerted efforts to contain the outbreak in a recent briefing, coordinating with stakeholders to minimize its impact.

The last #cholera_outbreak in Ethiopia occurred nearly two years ago in the West Gondar Zone in July 2023. Media reports indicate that over 70 individuals in the Amhara region succumbed to the disease during the last fiscal year, with approximately 3,800 people infected.

As of 04 April, 2016, 162 cholera patients were hospitalized in Bati town and Bati district. Efforts are underway to prevent further spread to nearby internally displaced persons (#IDP) camps, with a dedicated team deployed to contain the outbreak.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=43645

#EU allocates €1M to combat #cholera outbreak as death toll in #Ethiopia mounts to above 500

Ethiopia’s ongoing cholera outbreak picked up an unprecedented pace since March 2023, with over 2,276 cases and 50 deaths, while putting 3.3 million people at risk.

Now, cholera cases have reportedly reached a cumulative total of 44,044, including 571 deaths, the EU said.

In February, the World Health Organization (WHO) set up 17 standard cholera treatment centers across Ethiopia, including the capital Addis Abeba. https://addisstandard.com/?p=43819