Albie de Frey and Lucille Blumberg from the GeoSentinel® site in Johannesburg report an approximately 30% increase in the number of malaria cases in Southern Africa during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the summer of 2015/16. A spike in cases in the Republic of South Africa is likely related to people travelling over the Easter holiday to malaria – risk areas both within South Africa (see map) and to neighbouring countries. The Mopani and Vhembe districts bordering Zimbabwe in the Limpopo province bears the brunt of the outbreak. In the Mpumalanga province, a malaria outbreak has been declared in the Bushbuckridge area adjacent the Kruger National Park. There have been a small number of cases and deaths in historically non-malaria risk areas due to Odyssean malaria, e.g. in Pretoria north and the district of Lephalale and Thabazimbe in the Limpopo province. The increased number of malaria cases in South Africa in the 2016/17 summer season is attributed to the rise in ambient temperature, rainfall and humidity following a severe drought in previous years. South Africa has a population of approximately 55 million. In the 2016/17 season, a total of 9 478 malaria cases was reported, of which 5 177 were imported cases. For the 2015/16 corresponding period, there were 6 375 malaria cases, of which 4 752 were imported. The number of deaths for 2016/17 to date is 76, compared to 58 deaths in 2015/16. Limpopo Province has seen a proportionately high number of cases with 1 648 cases and 3 deaths. Neighbouring countries have seen a similar trend of rising cases due to similar weather patterns to those affecting South Africa. Notably, significant malaria transmission has been reported in Mozambique (8 million cases, population 26 million), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and parts of Namibia. Malaria transmission is ongoing in South Africa and neighbouring countries but likely to decrease with the onset of the cold, dry winter season and a refocusing of resources for surveillance and mosquito vector control in affected areas. Intending travellers should use mosquito bite avoidance measures and take malaria chemoprophylaxis prophylaxis if travelling to high risk areas. This currently includes the Kruger National Park and adjacent private game reserves. Please be alert to possible malaria in travellers returning from these areas.
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Albie de Frey and Lucille Blumberg from the GeoSentinel® site in Johannesburg report an approximately 30% increase in the number of malaria cases in Southern Africa during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the summer of 2015/16. A spike in cases in the Republic of South Africa is likely related to people travelling over the Easter holiday to malaria – risk areas both within South Africa (see map) and to neighbouring countries. The Mopani and Vhembe districts bordering Zimbabwe in the Limpopo province bears the brunt of the outbreak. In the Mpumalanga province, a malaria outbreak has been declared in the Bushbuckridge area adjacent the Kruger National Park. There have been a small number of cases and deaths in historically non-malaria risk areas due to Odyssean malaria, e.g. in Pretoria north and the district of Lephalale and Thabazimbe in the Limpopo province. The increased number of malaria cases in South Africa in the 2016/17 summer season is attributed to the rise in ambient temperature, rainfall and humidity following a severe drought in previous years. South Africa has a population of approximately 55 million. In the 2016/17 season, a total of 9 478 malaria cases was reported, of which 5 177 were imported cases. For the 2015/16 corresponding period, there were 6 375 malaria cases, of which 4 752 were imported. The number of deaths for 2016/17 to date is 76, compared to 58 deaths in 2015/16. Limpopo Province has seen a proportionately high number of cases with 1 648 cases and 3 deaths. Neighbouring countries have seen a similar trend of rising cases due to similar weather patterns to those affecting South Africa. Notably, significant malaria transmission has been reported in Mozambique (8 million cases, population 26 million), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and parts of Namibia. Malaria transmission is ongoing in South Africa and neighbouring countries but likely to decrease with the onset of the cold, dry winter season and a refocusing of resources for surveillance and mosquito vector control in affected areas. Intending travellers should use mosquito bite avoidance measures and take malaria chemoprophylaxis prophylaxis if travelling to high risk areas. This currently includes the Kruger National Park and adjacent private game reserves. Please be alert to possible malaria in travellers returning from these areas.