The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Saturday said Ethiopia has faced outbreaks of cholera, measles, and malaria, each posing a significant public health threat.
OCHA reported a worrying surge in cases of cholera and malaria, with a third round of outbreaks occurring across the Afar and Oromia regions of the east African country.
OCHA said measles cases are also on the rise, fueled by low immunization coverage and a lack of awareness.
“The health emergencies are further complicated by population displacement due to conflict and limited access to healthcare in some areas,” OCHAsaid.
A recent report by OCHA indicated that at least 15 deaths were reported due to a measles outbreak in Amhara’s Wagihimra Zone, exacerbated by an ongoing drought and conflict.
Malaria cases have reached a seven-year high, said OCHA’s report, citing disruptions in mosquito breeding patterns caused by both drought and floods.
The data revealed by the Amhara Public Health Institute revealed that over 1.2 million people in the region contracted malaria within the past eleven months.
MG/APA