ADDIS ABABA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- An acute watery diarrhea (AWD) outbreak in Ethiopia's northern Amhara regional state has left 12 people dead, an official said on Thursday.
Asaye Gebreselassie, deputy director of Wag Himera zone in Amhara regional state, said the outbreak killed four people and sickened 67 others in recent days, according to state media outlet Ethiopia News Agency.
A medical taskforce comprising federal, regional and zonal personnel has been deployed to the affected areas, Gebreselassie said.
With the rainy season expected to start in June and continue until mid-September, the government is trying to prevent the spread of the AWD.
Federal and regional health institutions have been combating diarrhea outbreak by treating unhygienic conditions in factories, health facilities, agricultural areas and eateries.
