Saturday March 9, 2024
Jowhar (HOL) - An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea has killed at least 20 people, mostly children, in Bal'ad town in Somalia's southern region of Middle Shabelle, an official confirmed on Saturday.
The acute watery diarrhea broke out in the Gololey Magacle and surrounding villages of Bal'ad town, located approximately 30km Southeast of Mogadishu.
Dr. Omar Ali, a pediatrician, stated that more than 240 patients, including children and elderly, have been admitted to the hospital, which is now facing shortages of medical supplies.
The doctor warned that the number of diarrhea outbreak cases could escalate if health officials do not act promptly.
A total of 2,943 new cholera cases and 26 deaths have been reported in the southern regions of the country since January 2024, according to the Somalian health ministry. However, these new numbers will increase the previous total number of cases.
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for more funds to scale up response activities to contain a cholera outbreak in Somalia as the number of cases continues to rise.