Ethiopia has seen surging malaria cases between January and August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
4.7 million New cases were documented, resulting in 918 deaths during the period, WHO said on Monday in a statement.
“The total number of cases for 2024 has already surpassed the entire count for the previous year,” WHO said, adding the number of cases and deaths continues to rise at an alarming rate.
The highest incidence per 100,000 population has been reported in Oromia Southwest Ethiopia, followed by Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella regional states, it said.
A senior expert, from the Oromia Health Bureau, said malaria is rapidly spreading to other areas of the Oromia region, including Jimma, Illu Ababor, Nekemte, and Shashamane.
According to the expert, testing conducted at government health facilities within the Oromia region identified 57,000 malaria cases in a single week.
The WHO also reported that the deterioration of security in the Amhara region is hindering effective responses to ongoing disease outbreaks, particularly malaria.
MG/as/APA