Cholera Outbreak in Ethiopia’s Gambella Region Claims 31 Lives, Rapidly Spreading.
At least 31 people have died from more than 1,500 reported cases of cholera in Ethiopia’s Gambella region over the past month, according to a warning issued by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday. The international medical humanitarian organisation described the outbreak as “rapidly spreading” and exacerbated by an influx of people fleeing violence in neighbouring South Sudan.
“Cholera is rapidly spreading across western Ethiopia and, in parallel, the outbreak in South Sudan is ongoing, endangering thousands of lives,” MSF stated.
Several regions of Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation with around 120 million people, are currently grappling with cholera outbreaks. Amhara, the country’s second-largest region, has been identified as one of the hardest-hit areas.
### **South Sudan Also in Crisis**
The outbreak has also worsened in South Sudan, particularly in Akobo County in the Upper Nile region, where 1,300 cases have been recorded in the past four weeks. MSF has linked the escalating situation to recent violence between the South Sudanese government and armed groups, which has displaced thousands and further restricted access to essential healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.
“Thousands are being displaced, losing access to healthcare, safe water, and sanitation,” MSF warned. South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, continues to struggle with chronic instability and poverty. The country officially declared a cholera epidemic in October 2024.
Cholera: A Preventable Yet Deadly Disease
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the vibrio cholerae bacterium, typically spread through food and water contaminated with faecal matter. Without prompt medical intervention, severe cases can lead to dehydration and death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a worrying rise in cholera-related deaths worldwide. In 2023 alone, an estimated 4,000 people died from the disease, marking a 71 per cent increase compared to the previous year, with Africa being the most affected region.
Urgent Response Needed
With cholera cases rising in both Ethiopia and South Sudan, health officials and humanitarian organisations are calling for urgent intervention to contain the outbreak and prevent further loss of life. Access to clean water, improved sanitation, and widespread vaccination campaigns are seen as critical steps in curbing the crisis.
