The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Ethiopia risks experiencing a second scourge after yellow fever was reported in the south of the nation.

The East African country is already battling the COVID-19 pandemic which has become a key health focus across the globe.

Ethiopia has already recorded 116 COVID-19 cases and three deaths.

WHO says the first two cases of yellow fever were reported on March 3 in the SNNP Region and had risen to six by April 6.

"The risk at national level is assessed as high. The current outbreak in Gurage Zone, SNNP region shows rapid amplification of a yellow fever outbreak in a rural area," WHO said in a statement on Wednesday. "The recent confirmation of the outbreak in cases with no history of travel is a concern. This is an indication of the existence of conducive factors for an increased incidence of yellow fever transmission and the spread of the disease beyond the hotspot areas."

According to the organization, the last yellow fever outbreak occurred in the SNNP region in August 2018, with a total of 5 confirmed cases reported from the Wolayita Zone.

It also noted that there is currently a low risk at the regional level due to limited population movement both nationally and internationally because of the current travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Yellow fever is spread by a species of mosquito common to areas of Africa and South America. It has a vaccine.

Source(s): World Health Organization