Ethiopia Suffers 59 Fatalities from Malaria and Cholera: WHO

Synopsis

Ethiopia has reported 59 deaths from malaria and cholera outbreaks this year, with over 909,000 malaria cases and 857 cholera cases confirmed. Ongoing conflicts and limited resources pose challenges for public health efforts. The WHO and UNICEF highlight the urgent need for assistance and vaccination campaigns to combat these diseases.

Key Takeaways

Ethiopia has seen 59 deaths from malaria and cholera in 2024.
909,146 malaria cases and 857 cholera cases reported.
Cholera outbreak remains active in 16 districts.
Conflicts and resource shortages hinder health responses.
Over 10 million cholera vaccinations administered.

Addis Ababa, March 24 (NationPress) - This year, Ethiopia has reported approximately 59 fatalities as of February due to persistent outbreaks of malaria and cholera across various regions, as stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the WHO's February report in the Ethiopia Health Cluster Bulletin, the nation has recorded a staggering 909,146 malaria cases with 34 deaths, occurring in 1,173 districts.

In addition, the country has documented 857 cholera cases and 25 deaths in the Gambella and Amhara regions during the same timeframe, which reflects a case fatality rate of 2.92%. The cholera situation remains active in 16 districts in these regions.

The report underscores numerous challenges impeding the cholera response, notably a deficiency of water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies for treatment facilities and the affected population, which hampers effective disease management.

Moreover, ongoing conflicts in parts of Ethiopia are adversely affecting the public health landscape, leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals in urgent need of assistance stranded in inaccessible areas. Recent earthquakes have also necessitated a significant health response.

As Ethiopia confronts a cholera outbreak that commenced in August 2022, the nation has administered vaccinations to over 10 million people through a nationwide oral cholera vaccination initiative, as reported by the WHO.

From January 2024 to March 2025, more than 178,000 cholera cases have been confirmed across 16 African nations, as noted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), resulting in around 2,900 fatalities, predominantly among children.

UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli, emphasized the need for ongoing dedication from governments, the private sector, and individuals, stating that every child deserves a future.

UNICEF reports that South Sudan and Angola have endured the most severe cholera outbreaks, with children under 15 comprising 50% of cases in South Sudan and 40% in Angola.

From September 28, 2024, to March 18, 2025, over 40,000 cholera cases were reported in South Sudan, leading to 694 deaths, marking its worst outbreak in two decades.

In Angola, over 7,500 cases and 294 deaths have been recorded across 14 provinces from January 7 to March 18, posing a high risk for further escalation.