Windhoek, Dec 24 (IANS) Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has raised an alert following a sharp rise in malaria cases in the country’s northern regions with 2,210 cases reported as of December 15.
The outbreak resulted in 265 severe cases and nine deaths during the period from November 4 to December 15, MoHSS Executive Director Ben Nangombe said in a statement Tuesday.
“At least 16 malaria-endemic districts have surpassed the epidemic threshold and are experiencing outbreaks,” he said.
Affected districts include Eenhana, which accounted for 661 cases or 30 per cent of the total, followed by Okongo with 336 cases or 15 per cent. Other districts affected include Outapi, Engela, Nkurenkuru, Oshakati, and Omuthiya, Nangombe added.
According to Nangombe, the southern African nation experiences seasonal malaria transmission from December to April, driven by rainfall, Xinhua news agency reported.
The ministry conducts indoor residual spraying and provides insecticide-treated mosquito nets to reduce infections. It also urged people to “use insect repellents, mosquito nets and to wear long-sleeved clothing to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”
Nangombe noted that Namibia’s proximity to high-burden malaria countries such as Angola presents additional risks. “It has been noted that malaria was high among local cattle herders who herd cattle across the border. They have been identified as one of the epidemic drivers,” he said.
The ministry has deployed robust surveillance systems “to monitor malaria cases and launched” a robust community education campaign to raise awareness about malaria control and prevention.
According to the World Health Organization, malaria is currently endemic in 10 out of the 14 regions of Namibia namely: Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Zambezi, Omusati, Oshana, Kunene, Oshikoto, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa.
The Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) has been the main vector control intervention implemented in Namibia which is intended to reduce the adult mosquito vector density and longevity and lead to a reduction in malaria transmission.
–IANS
int/as
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
