17 April 2025
The Department of Health has called for increased vigilance against malaria over the
Easter holidays, following outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
Spokesperson Foster Mohale said health authorities were concerned that there could be
increased malaria cases in malaria-endemic provinces, such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and
KwaZulu-Natal.
He said outbreaks occurred in some countries in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) region, including Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique and
Zimbabwe.
“This poses a threat of possible cross-border transmission of this preventable disease,
especially as people travel across the region to various destinations for religious and
cultural reasons as part of the Easter holidays,” Mohale said.
He added that the department’s officials would remain “on high alert in case of a sudden
peak in malaria local transmission.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, loss of appetite
and vomiting.
People travelling to malaria-endemic areas are urged to take malaria prevention
medication (prophylaxis); use insect repellent containing at least 10% DEET; sleep under
bed nets, use fans or air-conditioning; wear long-sleeved clothing, especially at night; and
seek immediate medical attention if any symptoms appear.
“The healthcare providers in both endemic and non-endemic provinces have been alerted
to maintain a high index of suspicion for malaria in patients with flu-like symptoms, and
report confirmed cases immediately to support malaria surveillance and response,” said
Mohale.
“Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to saving lives and preventing further
transmission of the disease.”
Source:News24
