Cholera Outbreak Kills 31, Infects 1,500 in Western Ethiopia Amid Refugee Crisis

A cholera outbreak in Ethiopia's Gambella region has resulted in at least 31 deaths and over 1,500 infections, with the situation worsening due to an influx of refugees fleeing violence from South Sudan. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported that the outbreak, which began in February, is exacerbated by ongoing cholera cases in South Sudan's Akobo County, where around 1,300 new cases have emerged in the past month. The humanitarian crisis is intensified by the conflict in South Sudan, which has displaced thousands and deprived them of access to healthcare and clean water. MSF is actively providing medical care and clean drinking water in both Ethiopia and South Sudan but emphasizes the urgent need for increased support, including vaccinations and health facilities. The organization warns that unsafe water and inadequate sanitation are key factors fueling the rapid spread of cholera in the region. An urgent call for assistance has been made to halt the disease's advance and safeguard the lives of those affected.