Mopani district hit by 243 malaria cases

LIMPOPO experienced a seasonal increase in malaria cases with Mopani district most severely affected, where 111 cases were reported in Baphalaborwa and 132 cases in Greater Giyani since March 15 this year.

Health spokesperson, Adéle van der Linde said the northern and eastern lowveld areas of Limpopo were malaria endemic areas. “In these areas, malaria transmission is seasonal, with cases normally at its highest during the summer rainy season. During a normal malaria season, Limpopo experiences incidents of malaria at two different times. The first increase is normally in January each year. This increase is associated with travelling patterns and behaviour change during the December festive period,” she explained.

“A second peak is normally experienced towards the end of the malaria season, around March and early April. This increase is associated with the climatic patterns namely high rainfall, humidity and temperature. These factors are contributing to increased malaria vector mosquito breeding and the development of parasites in vector mosquitoes,” she continued.

“It is important to note that the current number of cases are still below historic epidemic thresholds. The department is, however, monitoring the situation closely, in order to respond where required,” she said.

Van der Linde said all high risk communities had been covered with indoor residual spraying, and all health facilities were prepared to test and treat malaria. She said rapid malaria diagnostic tests and treatment were available at all health facilities, and each notified malaria case was thoroughly investigated, to ensure that control operations were fully in place. In areas where malaria was transmitted, sub-district epidemic response teams had been activated, to inform communities about the malaria risk and to encourage health seeking behaviour, she said.

“With a high coverage of indoor residual spraying, and cooler night-time temperatures setting in, it is expected that cases will decline within the next few weeks.

“It remains important for communities to be aware of the malaria signs and symptoms such as fever, body pains, headache, nausea and diarrhoea. If any of these symptoms are experienced, patients should immediately proceed to the closest clinic or health centre for a malaria test. All the provincial health facilities are prepared to test and treat malaria cases. Malaria is a disease that can be treated and cured 100%, although a diagnosis and treatment need to be done as early as possible, following the disease onset,” she said.

She said the department also encouraged visitors to these areas to take the necessary precautions and to ensure that they were not bitten by mosquitoes by staying indoors from dusk to dawn and by using insecticides, bed nets and mosquito repellents.

No deaths had been reported, Van der Linde concluded.