ETHIOPIA – The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia Country Office is working closely with health authorities to coordinate emergency response activities to an ongoing cholera outbreak in Harena Buluk and Berbera woredas in the Oromia region.
The corporate office announced in a regional statement that first cases of Cholera were reported to WHO Ethiopia Country Officer after four stool samples with culture grown for Vibrio Cholera were tested.
“In response, WHO Ethiopia, Oromia Region Health Bureau (ORHB) and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) dispatched a multidisciplinary rapid response team (RRT) to the two Woredas. The team arrived on the scene within 48hrs after it was first reported,” WHO reported.
The intergovernmental organization also dispatched teams of experts in an effort to avert a possible spill-over of the water-borne disease into other woredas including epidemiologists, public health officers, risk communication and community engagement officers along with logistics officers.
WHO further confirms that the surveillance team jointly assessed the epidemiological evolution of the outbreak and gaps in community-based surveillance, noting that the case management team set up tents for triage, observation room and recovery room.
“Conducted detailed investigation on the initially reported two cases and interviewed patients. Following the investigation of the cases in the Harena Buluk woreda, the team noted that all Cholera cases were drinking from the same water source,” the organization said.
Besides dispatching the network of public health experts, WHO delivered medical equipment and other resources to support emergency response tasks, conduct a risk assessment as well as provide technical support.
“The surge team convenes daily meetings with the Bale Zone Public Health Emergency Operation Center incident manager to discuss the Cholera outbreak preparedness and response in the zone. As a result of this meeting, the Cholera task force has been established at specific Woredas,” the agency stated.
WHO disclosed that cholera preparedness efforts have been initiated in neighboring woredas and zones led by the health cluster aimed at ensuring the optimal use and rational management of resources in a timely manner.
“In addition to water access, the establishment of care capacities, and mechanisms to access health structures established. The disease can kill within a few hours if left untreated. Mortality is highest in children, the elderly and frail individuals,” the United Nations branch underscored.
The WHO Ethiopia Country Office disclosed that the teams have further increased activities, strengthening the capacity and implementing a response to Cholera, which focuses on treatment and the prevention of infections.
“Thanks to the United States (USAIDBHA) and WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies generous contributions, WHO Ethiopia is able to deliver a coordinated and timely response where and when it is needed most,” the bureau concluded.
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