THE Gauteng Department of Health is intensifying its malaria awareness campaign.
This is according to the provincial Department of Health spokesman, Motalatale Modiba, who said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is observing Malaria Day on Monday, 6 November to raise awareness on the curable and preventable disease.
He said the department continues to target public transport areas like taxi ranks and bus stations to heighten education on prevention measures.
"This comes as Gauteng hospitals reported 1 105 malaria cases and 10 deaths from January to September 2023 as a result of the life-threatening disease spread to humans by mosquitoes in endemic areas," he said.
Modiba said the majority of people who were admitted and those who died as a result of the the disease had travelled to Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola. He said these countries are known to be Malaria endemic regions within SADC.
He said in South Africa, malaria endemic provinces included Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN.
"Non-endemic provinces like Gauteng still need to intensify awareness on how to prevent and manage the disease as many people in the province often visit endemic regions, increasing the risk of spreading malaria," he said.
Modiba further said malaria symptoms included fever, headache, general body aches and pains, general body weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and flu.
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"It's important that people who notice any of these symptoms after visiting a malaria prevalent area visit their nearest clinic or doctor to get tested and treated for malaria as treatment delay can lead to death," said Modiba.
Furthermore, as the department raises awareness about malaria, the provincial Health Department offers those leaving South Africa to endemic areas malaria chemoprophylaxis as part of efforts to prevent the infection rate.
He said the department encourages travellers to report any symptoms of malaria within 21 days of coming back from their trips.
"When travelling to a malaria endemic area, it's important for people to practise protective measures which include regular use of mosquito repellents, wearing of long trousers and long sleeve shirts, being indoors between dusk and dawn, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or in a room with a fan and sleeping insecticide treated nettings," said Modiba.
Modiba said the Gauteng Health Department has collaborated with Doctors Without Borders to raise awareness and translate the information, education and communication about malaria into Portuguese.
