FEATURE: South Africa almost eliminating malaria but imported cases still bite
South Africa is one of four countries in the SADC region targeting malaria elimination, that is, zero local malaria transmission by 2023
PRETORIA, November 5 (ANA) – As South Africa joins nations in the Southern African Development Community in commemorating the SADC Malaria week, with the highlight being the SADC Malaria Day commemorated on November 6, the national department of health said South Africa has made considerable in eliminating the killer disease.
“Whilst many parts of Africa have a high burden of malaria, some southern African countries including South Africa report relatively lower transmission. South Africa has made steady progress in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality over the past decades,” said department of health spokesperson Popo Maja.
“Malaria cases have decreased by 78 percent from 64,622 cases in the year 2000 compared to 13,833 cases in the year 2019, and malaria deaths have also decreased by 82 percent, from 459 to 79 deaths between 2000 and 2019.”
The annual SADC Malaria Week, November 2 to 6, is a regional campaign to raise awareness about the disease and to encourage communities to play their part in the drive towards malaria elimination.
South Africa is one of four countries in the SADC region targeting malaria elimination, that is, zero local malaria transmission by 2023.
Maja said the key challenge that South Africa faces is a high number of imported cases from travellers and workers entering the country from neighbouring, high burden malaria endemic countries.
“The theme for SADC Malaria Day 2020 is, Community Involvement is Key to Achieving Zero Malaria, and the slogan, Together We Defeat Malaria. The South African national department of health is therefore urging communities that are affected by malaria and travellers to malaria endemic areas to take the necessary precautions to prevent contracting the disease and seeking treatment when they experience signs and symptoms,” Maja said.
“Malaria is a preventable and curable disease – when detected early and treatment is started promptly.”
The department of health advised communities that if not diagnosed and treated within 24 hours, malaria can progress to severe illness and death.
The 2019 World Malaria Report, released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), states that malaria cases decreased globally from an estimated 251 million in 2010, to 228 million in 2018, a decline of nine percent.
In the SADC region, the WHO estimates that three-quarters of the population is at risk of contracting malaria, with 35 million of these being children under five years of age and approximately 8.5 million being pregnant women.
The level of malaria transmission varies from highly endemic to stable all year-round.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay
