While the tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia have been the main attention grabber of late, there is a silent killer disease making its way across Central Ethiopia that needs to be dealt with immediately.
Development Diaries reports that a measles outbreak in the Hadiya zone of Central Ethiopia has so far killed 22 children within the last 14 days.
According to local health workers, the outbreak has attained a significant prevalence, with over 80 individuals diagnosed with the disease in Shine Town alone.
Health workers revealed that over 200 individuals presently carry a diagnosis of measles across the East Badawacho, West Badawacho, and Siraro Badawacho districts within the Hadiya Zone.
Measles is endemic in Ethiopia, with cases reported every year. Between August 2021 and May 2023, 16, 814 laboratory-confirmed measles cases and 182 deaths were reported.
Low population immunity, combined with concurrent epidemics, conflict, forced displacement, and other humanitarian crises that disrupt childhood vaccinations, are some factors that have allowed the prevalence of the disease to remain.
The current spread of the outbreak is being attributed to the absence of vitamin A vaccination.
It is worrisome that hospitals in the zone have been closed as medical personnel are currently on strike owing to outstanding salaries and impeding vaccination initiatives.
Notably, Shone Primary Medical Centre has witnessed a substantial portion of its staff participating in the strike, rendering its services inactive.
Development Diaries calls on the Ethiopian Health Minister, Lia Tadesse, to provide an immediate response to the measles outbreak to avoid the burden of another health crisis in the region.
Source: Addis Standard
Photo source: DFID
