Addis Ababa, July 14(ENA)--The Ministry of Health warns that malaria epidemic might surface in most parts of Ethiopia soon after the end of the current rainy season.

Malaria and other Vector-borne Diseases Prevention and Control Acting Team Leader with the Ministry, Gezahegn Tesfaye called up on all regional states to take precautionary measures as the epidemic might broke out following the end of excess of rain.

He was speaking to a meeting organized for health professionals drawn from various state administrations that got underway here on Monday.

The existing excess rain may create suitable situation in September and December for the hatching of mosquito eggs that might trigger the epidemic, he said.

The acting team leader said 75 per cent of the territory of the country is exposed to malaria, Gezahegn said.

Malaria epidemic that surfaced in 1991 E.C. has claimed the lives of several people, he said.

Gezahegn indicated the possibility of the surfacing of the epidemic as it usually breakout every 5-8 years.

He said five million people in the country are infected by malaria every year.

It also said it has received 77 million USD in donation from Global Development Fund for eradication of malaria in the next five years.