The NGO Save the Children reported on Thursday that
at least 23 people had died from cholera in the past two weeks in eastern
Ethiopia, which has seen severe flooding. The organization is concerned that
the outbreak could spread "out of control" in the area.
Of individuals infected, 75% do not exhibit any
symptoms. But in 10 to 20 percent of patients, the sickness can be terrible,
with severe vomiting and diarrhea that accelerates dehydration.
772 cases of cholera "have been confirmed and
23 deaths from this deadly disease recorded in just two weeks" in the
rain-affected region of Somalia, in eastern Ethiopia, according to a statement
from Save the Children. More than 80% of cases involve children under the age
of five.
The non-governmental organization stated that
although there had not been any instances since mid-September, "a deadly
combination of flooded water supply systems, lack of basic sanitation services,
and damaged water treatment plants has led to an increase in this
disease".
Save the Children issued a warning that the cholera
epidemic in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa "could spiral out of control
if swift action is not taken by the government and donors to provide clean
water and sanitation to communities forced to leave their homes" due to
the floods.
At least 57 people have been killed in flooding
caused by torrential rains in Ethiopia, according to the UN agency responsible
for humanitarian coordination (Ocha), and more than 600,000 others have been
displaced, mainly in the south of the country.
More than 100 people were also killed in Somalia and
120 in Kenya as a result of bad weather linked to the El Nino climatic
phenomenon.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by
eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio
cholera.
0 Comments