Gauteng health department warns of rise in malaria cases and deaths
Residents urged to seek urgent medical care for symptoms amid rising infections and fatalities across the province.
The Gauteng Department of Health has urged residents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experience malaria-like symptoms, following a rise in cases across the province.
According to the department, recent surveillance data shows an increase in infections and deaths linked to the disease, raising public health concerns.
“Recent surveillance data indicate a worrying rise in both malaria infections and fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, early detection and prompt treatment to prevent loss of life,” the department said in a media statement.
Residents are advised to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue, especially if they have recently travelled to malaria-endemic areas, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
The department stressed that preventive measures remain critical, including using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
Data released by the department shows that between January and December 2025, Gauteng recorded 666 malaria cases and seven related deaths.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, from January to March, 414 confirmed cases and 11 deaths have already been recorded. This marks a sharp increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 230 cases and one death were reported.
“This upward trend signals heightened transmission risk, particularly in the early months of the year after the festive season, when many residents travel to malaria-endemic regions, increasing their exposure and risk of infection upon their return,” the department said.
Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and, while it is preventable and treatable, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe illness or death.
As the global community prepares to mark World Malaria Day on April 25, the department has called on residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families.
The department said it will continue to monitor the situation while strengthening public health interventions to reduce infections and prevent further deaths in the province.
