Pretoria residents have been urged to remain vigilant after a surge in malaria cases across Gauteng, following recent heavy rains and flooding that created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding and increased the risk of infection among returning travellers.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases spokesperson, Vuyo Sabani, said malaria cases have increased across parts of southern Africa following unusually heavy rainfall and recent flooding.

“The unusually heavy rainfall is creating more favourable conditions for mosquito breeding and malaria transmission. This seasonal rise has also resulted in an increase in malaria cases detected in South Africa, including in provinces where malaria is not normally transmitted.”

Sabani said in the first three months of 2026, Gauteng recorded 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths.

“While these figures are concerning and require increased public awareness and prompt healthcare action, most of these cases are imported. This means the infections were acquired in the malaria-endemic regions of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, or through international travel to malaria-endemic locations, and diagnosed after individuals returned to the Gauteng province.”

He furthermore said malaria transmission in South Africa is mainly confined to the low-altitude areas of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes occur, and environmental conditions support ongoing transmission.

Provinces such as Gauteng are not considered malaria-endemic, but imported malaria cases are frequently identified, particularly among travellers returning from affected areas within South Africa and elsewhere. In areas like Gauteng, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes do not occur, people infected with malaria cannot transmit malaria to others.

Sabani said the recent heavy rains and flooding across the region have increased the risk of malaria in South Africa’s endemic provinces.

“For example, Mpumalanga alone reported more than 300 cases in January 2026, while neighbouring malaria-endemic countries have also seen a rise in infections. These conditions highlight the importance of heightened awareness, especially during and after the rainy season.”

Malaria is both preventable and treatable, but it can progress rapidly to severe illness and death if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Travellers to malaria-endemic areas are urged to take preventive measures seriously, including the use of appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis for moderate- to high-risk destinations.

Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, body aches, or fatigue after recent travel to a malaria-endemic area – whether within South Africa or elsewhere in Africa – should seek medical attention immediately and request a malaria test.

“This applies even to those who have taken preventive medication, as no prophylactic is 100% effective. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment save lives.”

Also read: Malaria: Don’t ignore these symptoms

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel.