Disease outbreaks multiply in the Greater Horn of Africa after heavy rains

According to IGAD, epidemic diseases include cholera, malaria, measles, dengue, yellow fever, polio and anthrax, all of which are directly linked to extreme weather events.

"Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda are responding to cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by recent floods. In Ethiopia, 14,632 cases and 114 associated deaths have been reported in 90 areas across 11 regions between January 1 and April 28,” indicates the regional trade bloc.

The institution observed that all seven Greater Horn of Africa countries, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, are grappling with increased malaria cases.

Similarly, the bloc said measles outbreaks were active in all countries, with Ethiopia recording 20,580 cases and 162 associated deaths as of late April, and Somalia reporting 360 suspected cases.

In contrast, four countries, including Kenya, are responding to dengue, while yellow fever is active in South Sudan. About 74.9 million people in the region are suffering from severe food insecurity following the floods and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to IGAD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).