Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023
BackgroundCholera is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe watery diarrhea. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water containing Vibrio cholerae O139 and remains a major global public health threat. We investigated an outbreak to identify its cause, source, and risk fac...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Epidemiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fepid.2025.1480230/full |
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| author | Fitsum Hagos Habtamu Molla Ayele Eyob Hailu Kebede Abdulnasir Abagero Awgichew Kifle |
| author_facet | Fitsum Hagos Habtamu Molla Ayele Eyob Hailu Kebede Abdulnasir Abagero Awgichew Kifle |
| author_sort | Fitsum Hagos |
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| description | BackgroundCholera is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe watery diarrhea. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water containing Vibrio cholerae O139 and remains a major global public health threat. We investigated an outbreak to identify its cause, source, and risk factors and to develop control measures.MethodA suspected case was classified as the occurrence of acute watery diarrhea in a Dollo Ado District resident aged 2 or older between February 2, 2023 and March 15, 2023. A confirmed case was a suspected case with Vibrio cholerae detected in the patient's stool sample. An investigation of the outbreak was conducted; cases were described and the environment, where contamination may take place assessed and an unmatched case-control study conducted in Suftu Kebele, which served as the epi center of the outbreak. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for cholera infection.ResultsA total of 92 cases were identified, including 66 males and 26 females, with four deaths (4.3% fatality rate). Males had a higher attack rate (2.4 per 1,000 people) than females (1.6 per 1,000 people). Suftu village was the hardest-hit area (attack rate: 41 per 1,000 people). The outbreak began after a person suspected of having cholera returned from mandera, kenya, on February 2, 2023. Five days later, cases emerged in suftu village. Many residents practiced open defecation and used the dawa river for bathing, washing clothes, and drinking. Using untreated river water significantly increased the risk of infection (AOR = 20, 95% CI: 5.2–73).ConclusionThe outbreak likely started at a funeral of a suspected cholera case, spreading through contaminated river water. It was contained within a week by restricting river water use and preventing further contamination. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7df8a64b7ea44cc1afbe7d85a7bcfe20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2674-1199 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Epidemiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7df8a64b7ea44cc1afbe7d85a7bcfe202025-08-20T03:41:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Epidemiology2674-11992025-03-01510.3389/fepid.2025.14802301480230Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023Fitsum Hagos0Habtamu Molla Ayele1Eyob Hailu Kebede2Abdulnasir Abagero3Awgichew Kifle4Public Health Emergency Management Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaMaternal and Child Health Directorate, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaPublic Health Department, Bonga University Health Science College, Bonga, EthiopiaEthiopian Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackgroundCholera is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe watery diarrhea. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water containing Vibrio cholerae O139 and remains a major global public health threat. We investigated an outbreak to identify its cause, source, and risk factors and to develop control measures.MethodA suspected case was classified as the occurrence of acute watery diarrhea in a Dollo Ado District resident aged 2 or older between February 2, 2023 and March 15, 2023. A confirmed case was a suspected case with Vibrio cholerae detected in the patient's stool sample. An investigation of the outbreak was conducted; cases were described and the environment, where contamination may take place assessed and an unmatched case-control study conducted in Suftu Kebele, which served as the epi center of the outbreak. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for cholera infection.ResultsA total of 92 cases were identified, including 66 males and 26 females, with four deaths (4.3% fatality rate). Males had a higher attack rate (2.4 per 1,000 people) than females (1.6 per 1,000 people). Suftu village was the hardest-hit area (attack rate: 41 per 1,000 people). The outbreak began after a person suspected of having cholera returned from mandera, kenya, on February 2, 2023. Five days later, cases emerged in suftu village. Many residents practiced open defecation and used the dawa river for bathing, washing clothes, and drinking. Using untreated river water significantly increased the risk of infection (AOR = 20, 95% CI: 5.2–73).ConclusionThe outbreak likely started at a funeral of a suspected cholera case, spreading through contaminated river water. It was contained within a week by restricting river water use and preventing further contamination.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fepid.2025.1480230/fullcholera outbreakDollo Ado districtLiben zoneSomali regionEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Fitsum Hagos Habtamu Molla Ayele Eyob Hailu Kebede Abdulnasir Abagero Awgichew Kifle Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 Frontiers in Epidemiology cholera outbreak Dollo Ado district Liben zone Somali region Ethiopia |
| title | Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 |
| title_full | Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 |
| title_fullStr | Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 |
| title_short | Cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in Dollo Ado district, Ethiopia: un-matched case-control study, 2023 |
| title_sort | cholera outbreak and associated risk factors in dollo ado district ethiopia un matched case control study 2023 |
| topic | cholera outbreak Dollo Ado district Liben zone Somali region Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fepid.2025.1480230/full |
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