30/01/2025
Media Statement
All media
29 January 2025
PUBLIC ALERT: MALARIA RISK HEIGHTENED AFTER RECENT RAINS IN LIMPOPO
Date: 28 January 2025
The Limpopo Department of Health urges the public to remain vigilant about the potential risks of malaria following the significant rains the province received in recent weeks. While the rains are crucial for agriculture and water supply, they also create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which increases the risk of malaria transmission in the province.
Malaria remains a deadly disease caused by the plasmodium parasite and transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, nausea, and body aches, with early symptoms usually appearing between 10 and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. While the Department continues to invest resources into reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality, the province remains prone to malaria epidemics, especially after periods of rainfall.
In the 2024/25 year, the Department reported 557 confirmed malaria cases and 3 deaths. While this represents a decrease compared to previous years, every death is a tragedy, and the Department remains focused on reducing these numbers. As part of this effort, the Department has implemented a highly effective indoor residual spraying program, a critical tool in reducing mosquito populations and malaria transmission. This program also relies heavily on community participation, with 355 seasonal community spray workers employed in the 2024/25 financial year to spray over 1.16 million houses.
To further strengthen malaria prevention efforts, the Department plans to increase the number of spray workers to 400 in the 2025/26 financial year. This expansion will help ensure broader coverage, particularly in areas most vulnerable to malaria outbreaks, ahead of the peak period during the festive season.
While the Department's efforts are ongoing, the public plays an essential role in preventing the spread of malaria. We urge residents to:
- Allow malaria control personnel to spray their homes.
- Use insect repellent regularly, especially in the evenings.
- Wear clothing that covers the skin, particularly at night.
- Consider sleeping under mosquito nets, especially in high-risk areas.
For those traveling to and from malaria-endemic areas, it is important to take prophylactic medication before your trip to minimize the risk of contracting the disease.
If you have recently traveled to a malaria-endemic area and are feeling unwell, we urge you to visit the nearest healthcare facility or doctor immediately. When seeking care, please inform your healthcare provider about your travel history to ensure prompt and accurate treatment.
The Limpopo Department of Health remains committed to protecting the health and safety of our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to reduce the burden of malaria in the province, but your cooperation is vital in these efforts.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kapudi Moagi
MLO/MEC Spokesperson
082 257 7856
Neil Shikwambana
Department Spokesperson
066 479 9887
