A resurgence of cholera in Ethiopia's Amhara region has claimed at least three lives, with infection numbers rising to 160, according to official data.
A new report released on February 6 by the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG Echo), the outbreak has affected mostly West Gondar zone, with 122 cases and one death in Quara district, and three cases and one death in Genda Wuha district.
In Central Gondar, three cases and one death have been reported, and 33 cases reported in Bahir Dar, the region's capital city.
"The contamination source is the Bermel Georgis holy water, located in Quara district, which draws pilgrims from across the region and beyond, entailing a significant risk of further spreading the disease," the report said.
Efforts to contain the outbreak have been hindered by the ongoing internal conflict in the northern Amhara region.
"Humanitarian partners face severe security and access constraints in Amhara region that is heavily affected by an armed conflict between the Federal forces and regional militia," DG Echo added.
Since the outbreak in August 2022, Ethiopia has reported a cumulative 44,044 cases and 571 deaths.Â
In April 2024, the Horn of Africa's nation reported over 600 cases weekly, across nine regions. Â
The response was hampered by a combination of drought and rainfall, resulting in an increase in cases.Â
The government in May 2022 launched a "National Cholera Elimination Plan" with the goal of eliminating cholera by 2028. But conflicts, insecurity, access to clean water and sanitation remain a major challenge.
