malaria cases
24 April 2007
Tomorrow, 25 April, South Africa joins the rest of the continent in
observing Africa Malaria Day under the slogan "Free Africa from Malaria
Now!"
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 300 million acute
cases of malaria are reported each year globally resulting in more than a
million deaths. At least 90% of these deaths occur in Africa, mostly in young
children.
There has been a significant decrease in the number of malaria cases and
deaths reported in South Africa during the current malaria season as a result
of several interventions made by the Department of Health.
The number of malaria cases in South Africa has decreased by 65% while
deaths have been reduced by 73% during the current malaria season as compared
to same period last year.
Between June 2006 and March 2007 a total of 3 597 cases were reported
compared to 10 418 cases reported between June 2005 and March 2006. In
addition, the number of deaths has come down from 85 to 25 during the same
reporting period.
The decline is largely as a result of the following interventions by the
Department of Health:
* an increase in indoor residual spraying using DDT with an overall coverage
of more than 80% with the spraying being completed before the peak in malaria
transmission
* the use of artemisinin based combination therapy
* intensified surveillance leading to early detection of any rise in malaria
cases in high risk areas by well prepared epidemic preparedness teams
* advocacy with mass community mobilisation and training of healthcare workers
in the malaria affected areas.
Collaboration amongst African countries plays a significant role in
improving the effectiveness of malaria control programme since malaria vectors
(mosquitoes) have no regard for national borders.
South Africa is working together with Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe in
two separate cross border malaria control initiatives. The cross border
collaboration between Limpopo province in South Africa and the Matabeleland
South province in Zimbabwe and the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative
involving South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique have both contributed
significantly to the decline in malaria cases in our country.
The Department of Health would like to thank all communities that have
supported the malaria control efforts in the malaria affected areas of
KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Let us continue to work together to free our continent from malaria.
Issued by: Department of Health
24 April 2007
