Pretoria: 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 to 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.
So far over 7400 malaria cases have been recorded between Jan to Oct this year in South Africa, and only 17% of these cases are locally acquired and the rest are imported cases, meaning more people got infected while out of the country.
At least 66 deaths have been recorded during this period (Jan - Oct 2023), and all people who experience malaria-suspected symptoms (which include headache, fever, chills muscle and joint pains) are urged to visit their local health facility without delays for effective treatment if test positive.
Late presentation to health facility with symptoms is one of the contribution factors to increasing malaria morbidity and mortality rates.
Malaria is a life-threatening, but preventable and curable disease. Early detection saves lives.
The department is intensifying malaria response plan through malaria screening and testing around borders in high-malaria risk provinces ( KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga & Limpopo) throughout the year for early detection of imported cases, Indoor residual spraying in high malaria areas every year in September until beginning of the following year and public education campaigns.
Pregnant women and children under five years should avoid visiting malaria-endemic areas, unless they take extra precaution measures.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Foster Mohale
Health Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 0724323792
E-mail: Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Mr Doctor Tshwale
Spokesperson for Health Minister
Cell: 063 657 8487
E-mail: Doctor.Tshwale@health.gov.za
