Ethiopia Cholera Response: Update on Quara Challenges and Interventions
Ethiopia’s cholera outbreak, which began July 15, 2023, has led to 4,983 cases and 90 deaths, with a CFR of 1.81%. A resurgence in January 2025 resulted in 270 new cases and 5 fatalities, raising the CFR to 4.5%. International Medical Corps is actively addressing the situation in Quara with health and WASH measures.
A cholera outbreak has been ongoing in the West Gondar Zone of Amhara, Ethiopia, with the initial wave starting on July 15, 2023. This outbreak has affected 60 woredas (districts) across 16 zones, registering 4,983 cases and resulting in 90 fatalities—yielding a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.81%. In early 2025, the outbreak resurged, leading to 270 new cases and five additional deaths by mid-February, escalating the CFR to 4.5%.
The International Medical Corps has been actively working in Ethiopia since 2003, providing essential services such as health care, nutrition, mental health support, and water sanitation initiatives. In response to the cholera outbreak, they have partnered with local health offices and authorities to deploy health and WASH interventions in the Quara woreda, specifically at the Bermil CTC and Geligu CTC.
In February 2025, teams from the International Medical Corps visited Gendu Wuha town and Geligu town within the Quara region to coordinate their response with local leaders and health officials. This intervention strategy involves collaboration with the woreda health office and relevant public health teams to effectively tackle the ongoing cholera crisis. Quara has a history of recurring cholera outbreaks, starting with the initial cases reported at the Bermil Holy Water site in July 2023.
The resurgence of cholera in January 2025 arose from continuing cases linked to the Bermil area, with the majority of infections stemming from this locality. By early February, 181 cases were documented at the Bermil CTC, adding urgency to intervention efforts to reduce the threat to public health and limit further losses in the community.
The ongoing cholera outbreak in Quara, Amhara region, illustrates the serious public health threat posed by infectious diseases in vulnerable communities. The collaborative efforts by International Medical Corps and local authorities emphasize the importance of coordinated responses to outbreaks. With effective interventions underway, the focus remains on mitigating the spread of cholera and protecting affected populations from further health crises.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
