adminNAIROBI. – The Greater Horn of Africa region has recorded a surge in disease outbreaks following the recent heavy rains that caused massive flooding, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in East Africa said in a report yesterday.
According to IGAD, the diseases with recorded outbreaks include cholera, malaria, measles, dengue, yellow fever, polio and anthrax, all of which are directly linked to extreme climate events.
“Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda are responding to cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by recent floods. In Ethiopia, 14 632 cases and 114 related deaths were reported from 90 areas across 11 regions between Jan. 1 and April 28,” the regional trade bloc said.
The institution observed that all seven Greater Horn of Africa countries, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, are grappling with increased malaria cases.
Similarly, the bloc said measles outbreaks were active across the countries, with Ethiopia recording 20,580 cases and 162 related deaths as of the end of April, and Somalia reporting 360 suspected cases.
On the other hand, four countries, including Kenya, are responding to dengue, while yellow fever is active in South Sudan. – Xinhua
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter