ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said more than 16,800 cholera cases and 212 related deaths have been reported in Ethiopia since mid-July.
OCHA, in its latest situation update issued late Tuesday, said the ongoing cholera outbreak affects Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples regions (SNNP) and Somali regions of Ethiopia, with recent reports of cholera cases from Afar, Benishangul Gumz and Dire Dawa.
It said the Amhara region remains of the highest concern, with reports of more than 2,700 cases amid insecurity and hostilities impacting efforts to treat the cases and manage the outbreak.
A recent oral vaccination campaign, which initially targets 2.06 million people, was concluded in priority districts of Oromia, Sidama, and SNNP regions, OCHA said.
It also expressed concern over other healthcare challenges in Ethiopia, including measles and malaria.
As of early August, according to OCHA figures, more than 23,000 cases of measles and 228 related deaths were reported in 33 districts across the East African country.
It said more than 1.7 million malaria cases, including 200 deaths, were reported from 1,035 districts as of the end of July.
OCHA warned that as Ethiopia's main rainy season continues, the outbreak of water-borne diseases and lack of response capacities are of serious public health concern. ■
