Malaria ravages three regions in Namibia

More than 11, 000 people out the over 182, 874 that were tested for malaria through a mass campaign were positive to malaria infection in one week in the three regions mostly hit by malaria in Namibia.

Namibia with a population of a little over 2 million, has recorded 22,596 cases of malaria since the southern African country announced an outbreak in January, local media reported.

The most affected regions are Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi and Ohangwena, according to the The Namibian newspaper.

It said malaria infections often peaked between January and April, with a decline in May.

An upsurge was, however, observed during the peak season this year, the publication added.

The newspaper quoted the Health ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Andreas Mwoombola, as saying that last week alone 182,873 people were tested for malaria through a mass campaign.

“Of those tested, 11,659 were positive and were treated on the spot,” Mr Andreas was further quoted.

Namibia, with a population of 2.2 million, is a vastly poor country, which along with other neighbours, was affected by last year’s El-Niño phenomenon

Health minister Bernard Haufiku said in March that malaria had affected 6,500 people, with 15 fatalities.

He said the numbers were high because some of the patients were from neighbouring Angola.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), last year 212 million malaria cases were reported globally, with 429,000 deaths recorded.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the plasmodium type.

Its symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma or death.

According to WHO, nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of malaria.

In 2015, there were roughly 212 million malaria cases and an estimated 429,000 malaria deaths.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.

In 2015, the region was home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths.

Source: Africa Review