South Africa has recorded more than 7 400 cases of malaria, with over 66 deaths reported between January and October.
This is according to the national department of health, which said only 17% of these cases were locally acquired. The rest are imported cases, meaning more people got infected while out of the country.
The department is calling on all travellers to take preventive measures as parts of the country enter malaria season.
Furthermore, people who experience malaria-suspected symptoms – which include headache, fever, chills muscle and joint pain are advised to visit their local health facilities.
Pregnant women and children under five years have also been warned to avoid visiting malaria-endemic areas or take extra precautionary measures.
“The department of health urges all people travelling to and from malaria-endemic or high-risk areas to take the appropriate precautionary measures to prevent possible infections as the country enters malaria season.
“Summer season marks the start of the malaria period in South Africa due to higher temperatures and increased rainfall in the malaria transmission areas. Malaria cases are starting to increase in the country in some parts of the country, especially high-malaria risk areas,” health department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
Mohale confirmed that late reporting of symptoms and suspected cases are some of the contributing factors to increasing malaria morbidity and mortality rates.
“Malaria is life-threatening but preventable and a curable disease. Early detection saves lives,” he said.
Efforts to contain the disease
Mohale emphasised that the department is intensifying its response efforts through malaria screening and testing around borders in high-malaria risk provinces such as KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo throughout the year for early detection of imported cases.
“Other strategies part of the response plan includes indoor residual spraying in high malaria areas every year in September until beginning of the following year and public education campaigns.”
