Unconfirmed illness kills 18 people in central Ethiopia

July 28, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Unconfirmed disease has killed 18 people and infected other 143 in central Ethiopia region of Amhara region, says a report attributed to World health Organisation (WHO) today.

The outbreak of mysterious illness occurred between 4 and 21 July 2009 in two villages in Kelela woreda, South Wollo zone, Amhara Region, reported said today a report issued by The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Suspected to be meningitis, the symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, neck stiffness, diarrhea and vomiting. Samples have been sent to the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute for testing.

“Investigations supported by WHO and NGO partners are in progress,” said OCHA.

Save the Children UK provided emergency drug kits to neighboring Legambo district (woreda).

Ethiopia is also facing food shortages in some parts with over six million of its people needing food aid due to poor rains, according to the UN.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian federal ministry of health reported 579 new cases of acute watery diarrhea, with 11 deaths in 29 districts (woredas) across Addis Ababa, Somali, Oromiya, Harari and SNNP Regions between 6 and 12 July 2009.

Further, the OCHA reported an outbreak of typhoid fever that has killed one person and affected more than 100 in the northern Tigray region.

(ST)