Ethiopia: Acute watery diarrhea outbreak kills 15

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

September 1, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — A quickly spreading deadly acute watery-diarrhea (AWD) outbreak claims the lives of at least 15 people, with the number of people diagnosed rising to thousands in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa and in six regional states. State Ministry of health said.

According to hospital sources in the capital, Addis Ababa, alone some 3,500 people have revived after received treatment but with many more arriving to health centers on daily bases, hundreds still remain under treatment in various hospitals.

During the past two weeks, the out-break has continued to spread to new areas with additional 617 cases and 8 deaths reported in 35 districts of Addis Ababa, Afar, mhara, Somali, Oromiya and SNNP regions.

Most rural Peoples higher dependency to easily contaminated water sources from rivers of the Seasonal rain is blamed for the out-break but the absence of adequate pure water and sanitation practices, particularly In holly water sites, public gatherings and state farms, as well as poor case management, absence of adequate toilets have aggravated the situation.

The situation is anticipated to exacerbate due to increases in migrations and cross-regional movements, as the Ethiopia’s New Year holiday approaches.

In response to the situation, Ethiopia’s ministry of health has set out response task-forces in areas most affected. Public Awareness campaigns through Medias are also being carried out as part of controlling mechanism.

Furthermore the ministry is announcing and calling on the public to receive treatment in nearby governmental hospitals for free.

(ST)