By NewsDesk @bactiman63
After reporting zero human cases for more than two years, Ethiopia has recorded six suspected new human cases of dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) over the past two weeks. All of them are from Gog district in the region of Gambella.
“All the six suspected new cases of infection are people who used water from farm side-ponds and all of them are now being followed-up in a containment centre” said Dr Zeyede Kebede, Acting NTD Programme Coordinator, WHO Country Office, Ethiopia. “Four of the suspected cases were detected from Dulli farm side village and two others from two different villages namely – Metaget Dipach and Wadmaro in Gog Dipach Kebele”.
Besides the six-suspected new infection, a further 40 suspected cases are also being followed up in the Guinea Worm Case Containment Center. Furthermore, an estimated 200 households have been visited and 1254 people interviewed and provided with health education.
The Ethiopian Dracunculiasis Eradication Programme (EDEP) is scheduled to continue the larviciding of ponds in the area; further assess the utilization of filters by residents and devise a mechanism to maximize and maintain its utilization. The EDEP also plans to work with relevant stakeholders to provide safe water to the villages with suspected cases.
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