26 Ethiopians die from AWD cases: FMOH Report
- According to official reports from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), 53 cases of Acute watery Diarrhea (AWD) have been reported from Somali, Oromiya and SNNP Regions last week. Four Hundred Seventy Six cases of AWD and 13 deaths (CFR 2.7%) have been reported from Somali, Oromiya and SNNP Regions from 23rd March to 26th April 2009. One Hundred Fifty Eight cases and seven deaths from Moyale and Geladi woredas of Somali region, 155 cases and 4 deaths from Moyale and Dire woredas of Oromiya Region and 163 cases and 2 deaths from Konso special woreda of SNNPR.
- A total of 26 people died from AWD. So far, no case of Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) has been reported from Ethiopia and the situation is being monitored.
I. GENERAL SITUATION:
a) Political, social, security overview for the week
- The overall security situation in the country remained stable during this week. No major security incidents involving humanitarian staff members have been reported.
b) Main events of interest/ concern for health (displacements, conflicts, disease outbreaks, etc.)
Food security and malnutrition.
- Given the late start of belg and the approaching hunger season, food security and nutrition conditions may deteriorate rapidly in some parts of the country, like experienced already in several woredas of SNNPR, parts of Arsi, West Arsi, eastern parts in Oromiya, eastern parts of Amhara and East and West Harerge. Since the beginning of April, admission rates of malnourished children in OTPs and Stabilization Centers (SC) have increased rapidly and are alarmingly high in some areas.
- The food security and nutrition situation has rapidly deteriorated in Siraro, Shalla, Shashemene and Arsi Negele woredas of West Arsi. According to the Zonal DPPB, the situation is serious and needs immediate intervention. Screening is ongoing to assess the actual number of malnourished children. Over 1000 children have been admitted to OTPs in one week. Relief assistance to over 68,000 people has been dispatched, pending a rapid assessment of the current needs. Meanwhile, food stress indicators are being observed in woredas of Arsi including Munessa, Shirka, Aseko and Seru.
- The average price of cereals is still high and the price of livestock is increasing. This week, no rain fall reported from belg producing areas including Arsi, North Shoa, West Arsi, and Bale zones and pastoral areas of Borena except light showers in Yabello woreda. is the prospect of belg harvest is not promising due to inadequate land preparation and late planting due to erratic nature of the rain but meher land preparation activities are in progress.
- A serious malnutrition situation is emerging in Siraro, Shashemane, Shala, and Arsi Negelle woredas. In Siraro woreda some 27 severe cases have been reported. The situation needs further investigation. A significant number of highly malnourished children were being treated in Stabilisation Centres and OTPs in most of these woredas last year. Seru, Munesa, Aseko & Shirka woredas, not benefiting from relief are now experiencing food shortage due to poor meher production last year. A recently deployed joint verification team reported that about 45,000 people are in need of food assistance in the woredas.
Acute watery Diarrhoea (AWD)
- According to official reports from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), 53 cases of AWD have been reported from Somali, Oromiya and SNNP Regions last week. Four Hundred Seventy Six cases of AWD and 13 deaths (CFR 2.7%) have been reported from Somali, Oromiya and SNNP Regions from 23rd March to 26th April 2009. One Hundred Fifty Eight cases and seven deaths from Moyale and Geladi woredas of Somali region, 155 cases and 4 deaths from Moyale and Dire woredas of Oromiya Region and 163 cases and 2 deaths from Konso special woreda of SNNPR. MSF Belgium continues to support case management in Oromia and Somali Regions. Other partners are providing support in prevention and control measures in both Regions.
H1N1
- According to official reports from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), no case of Influenza A H1N1 has been reported from Ethiopia. WHO country office is providing the technical lead for the UNCT in the preparation of a contingency plan for the influenza A H1N1 pandemic preparedness and response. In addition technical assistance is being provided to the FMOH for the development of a national contingency plan.
II. ANALYSIS & HEALTH CONSEQUENCES: Health problems & Needs of affected populations.
Food insecurity and malnutrition
• While the overall national food security situation has improved compared to 2008, the nutrition and food security situation is gradually declining in several parts of the country including Sidama, Gedeo, Wolayita, KT, and Dawro zones in SNNPR; East and West Harerghe, Bale and Borena in eastern Oromiya; and parts of South Wello in Amhara and Somali regions. The food security of vulnerable population could worsen, if the current belg/gu season performs poorly.
Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)
• The technical committee of the Emergency Health and Nutrition Task Force continues to meet with secretariat support from WHO. Reports from partners, Oromia and Somali RHBs reported AWD infection spreading to new districts. The identified gaps are poor case management, inadequate CTCs materials and drugs, poor water supply, inadequate human resources, poor hygiene and sanitation. High movement of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) is a major challenge for the control of the disease. The needs of affected people are drugs, water treatment chemicals, awareness creation and trained health staff to support proper case management. Government and partners are responding and mobilising more resource to support response.
Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and World Health Organization (WHO)
