Ethiopia malaria outbreak on an increasing trend
Ethiopia is reporting an increasing trend in malaria since late April, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Since the beginning of the year, there has been a total of 2,321,931 cases of malaria and 409 related deaths in Ethiopia.
Cases have been reported from 14 regions, with Oromia region being the epicentre, reporting majority of cases (40.0%) 69,203 cases. Amhara region follows with 43,635 (24.6%) and then the SWEPRS region with (10.8%) 19,150 cases.
Just during the week ending June 8, 177,561 new cases and 38 reported deaths were reported with 96 percent of the cases confirmed.
Nearly two-thirds of the cases were caused by Plasmodium falciparum, while one-third were due to Plasmodium vivax.
Ethiopia’s susceptibility to malaria epidemics stems from its pronounced climatic, topographic, and demographic disparities, influencing the risk of malaria across different regions. Typically, malaria peaks occur between September and December following the primary rainy season, from June to September, and from April to May after the secondary rainy season.
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The various public health actions being taken include, but not all-inclusive:
A coordination between the Ministry of Health and WHO in the epidemic response;
The surveillance network has been revitalized in high burden, conflict-affected areas and non-functioning health facilities to ensure comprehensive coverage and timely detection of malaria cases;
Health workers have been trained in malaria case management, as well as the production and distribution of malaria treatment guidelines and other job aids;
Access to malaria diagnosis and treatment has been enhanced by deploying mobile health teams and establishing temporary treatment centres in conflict affected areas and for internally displaced persons and refugees;
Procurement and distribution of anti-malarial drugs, including Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies, Artesunate injections, Chloroquine, Primaquine, and Artesunate suppositories, to healthcare facilities, focusing on the last mile to ensure accessibility.
Hampering the response and disruption of malaria elimination activities are mainly due to conflict, refugee influx, climate change and instability in the health governance contributed to the massive outbreaks.
According to WHO, malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable.
The infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travelers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.
Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines. Treatments can stop mild cases from getting worse.
Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. The first symptoms may be mild, similar to many febrile illnesses, and difficulty to recognize as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within 24 hours.
There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat. P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent. P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa. The other malaria species which can infect humans are P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi.