Ethiopia: Cholera out-break kills 11
By Tesfa-alem Tekle
March 13, 2009 (MOYALE) –The world health organization (WHO) on Thursday said that at least 14 people have died in the past seven days of cholera outbreak in the town of Moyale, along the Kenyan-Ethiopian border.
According to WHO’s latest updated, 11 deaths are confirmed in Ethiopia after the first outbreak was confirmed on March 5.
Among the total cholera deaths reported along the common border, 3 of these including 2 children were from Kenya. Sudan Tribune learnt.
“A total of 65 cases and three deaths have been reported,” WHO said in its latest update. “The neighboring country [ Ethiopia ] is also experiencing an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea in the same locality, and has reported 109 cases and 16 deaths. However they have not confirmed it as cholera.”
Some 50 cases have been diagnosed in Moyale , Kenya , and 110 over the border. The death toll is expected to rise as some of the affected are in remote areas far from health facilities.
The cases were first reported in Ethiopia before spreading to the village of Dabelle in Moyale. Kenya health officials said. The spread has been attributed to poor sanitation and water shortages, which have led to the consumption of contaminated water.
Population movement along the common border has also fuelled the spread of the disease, which has yet to be brought under control. A shortage of personnel and prevailing drought are frustrating control efforts. Officials added.
Sources from the area also indicated that some restaurants along the Kenyan side of the border have been closed and food imports from Ethiopia banned.
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe.
Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.
(ST)