The department of health in Gauteng is standing firm in its commitment to nip in the bud the spread of malaria in the province.
This as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) observes Malaria Day on November 6.
Tshepo Shawa, spokesperson for MEC for health, said the department has intensified awareness around the curable and preventable water-borne disease.
Awareness is first line of defence
This after the health department in the province has observed an increase in the rapid spread of the disease.
Detailing measures put in place to fight malaria, Shawa said: “The department has set its sights on public transport nodes such as taxi ranks and bus stations to intensify education about prevention measures, recognising that awareness is the first line of defence.
“While raising awareness about malaria, the department also offers those leaving South Africa to endemic areas Malaria Chemoprophylaxis as part of efforts to prevent an increase in the infection rate.”
The department also encourages travelers to report any symptoms of malaria within 21 days of returning to the country for a malaria rapid test and early treatment.
“When travelling to a malaria endemic area, it is important for people to practise protective measures which include regular use of mosquito repellents, wearing of long trousers and long sleeve shirts, being indoors between dusk and dawn, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or in a room with a fan, and sleeping in insecticide-treated nettings,” Shawa said.
To ensure that awareness is ongoing at community level across the province, the department continuously trains health promoters on malaria.
In addition, it has collaborated with Doctors Without Borders to raise awareness and translate the information, education and communication on malaria into Portuguese.
Staggering 1 105 cases reported
This is due to 90% of the cases reported in Gauteng being of travelers from Mozambique. Gauteng has reported a staggering 1 105 cases and 10 deaths from January to September.
It is reported that the majority of people who were admitted and those who have died as a result of the disease had travelled to Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola.
These countries are known to be malaria-endemic regions within the SADC.
Within the country, the malaria-endemic provinces include Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
However, said the department, non-endemic provinces like Gauteng still need to intensify awareness on how to prevent and manage the disease, as many people who live in the province often visit these endemic regions, thus increasing the risk of spreading malaria.
It also warned of malaria symptoms including fever, headache, body aches and pains, body weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and the flu.
