The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | An ongoing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia has claimed some 300 lives so far, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest situation update.
According to the latest health cluster bulletin for Ethiopia released Friday, the ongoing cholera outbreak, since Aug. 27, 2022, has spread into 113 districts across 10 regions in 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.
The report indicated that the ongoing cholera response interventions have managed to control the outbreak in the country. It, however, expressed concern as some districts are seeing a re-emergence of cholera cases.
Over 6 million people have so far been vaccinated with one dose of oral cholera vaccine across 54 districts in the country.
The report further noted the urgent need for durable solutions to address root causes of recurrent cholera outbreaks, which includes poor quality drinking water and open defecation. It said faecal contamination of drinking water is the main source of cholera, with most cholera patients using unsafe drinking water.
