31 Jan 2023 | 12:32 PM UTC
Ethiopia: Elevated cholera activity reported nationwide through January
Elevated cholera activity reported nationwide in Ethiopia through January. Use food and water precautions.
Event
Ethiopian health authorities have declared a cholera outbreak, with more than 1,050 suspected cases reported Aug. 27, 2022-Jan. 30, 2023. The outbreak has spread across four zones in Ethiopia's Oromia and Somali regions. The most affected region is Bale Zone (558 cases), followed by Guji (203 cases), Liban (199 cases), and West Arsi (95 cases). The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), the Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), WHO, and UNICEF have supported the scale-up of health, water, and sanitation services in affected areas. This represents the most complete data available as of Jan. 31.
Context
On Aug. 27, 2022, the first cholera case was reported in Harena Buluk Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Region. Cholera spread to bordering areas of Liban Zone in the Somali Region on Sept. 29, 2022. Health officials stated that the use of unsafe water from contaminated water points is the likely cause of this outbreak, with the majority of the positive cases reporting having collected water from rivers and open wells. Ethiopia reported 674 cases of cholera in 2021, 12,226 in 2020, and 2,615 in 2019.
Cholera is transmitted directly through food or water contaminated with fecal material from an infected person. Most infected people develop no symptoms or only mild diarrhea. However, approximately one in 10 infected people develop severe cholera, which causes symptoms including profuse, watery diarrhea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, restlessness, or irritability. Symptoms typically appear two or three days after exposure but can develop up to five days after exposure. Individuals with severe cholera can develop acute renal failure, severe electrolyte imbalances, and coma. If left untreated, these can lead to shock and rapid death.
Advice
Consult a travel medicine provider regarding cholera vaccination before traveling to the country. Practice strict food and water precautions. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop within a week of being in areas of high cholera transmission.
