LIMPOPO. – The Limpopo Department of Health has intensified malaria surveillance and control measures in the Sekhukhune district after seven cases were confirmed during October in the Marble Hall and Moganyaka areas.
Neil Shikwambana, spokesperson for Limpopo's Department of Health, says initial investigations found that none of the seven patients travelled outside Limpopo. This raises concern about possible local transmission, as Sekhukhune falls outside the province's areas traditionally associated with malaria transmission. All seven patients have received treatment and are recovering.
Health teams tested contact persons and construction workers at higher risk for malaria, but all results were negative. Indoor spraying was also carried out at sixteen homes in the affected area. Initial investigations of nearby water bodies yielded no mosquito larvae or adult mosquitoes. Further environmental and mosquito investigations are however continuing.
A multidisciplinary scientific task team has been deployed to further investigate the environment and expand targeted spraying in higher-risk areas. This includes mine worker accommodation, farm worker residences and surrounding settlements. Health facilities in the area, including Matlala Hospital, Philadelphia Hospital and Marulaneng Clinic, are maintaining heightened vigilance to identify and treat potential cases early.
The department warns that malaria is preventable and treatable, but that delayed diagnosis can lead to serious illness and death. Residents are urged to use mosquito repellent, especially in the evenings and at night, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers outdoors and limit exposure to mosquito bites during nighttime activities. People who develop fever, chills, headache or body ache should seek medical help early and inform health workers in which area they live or work.
The department says the situation is being actively investigated and that further updates will be provided once more information is available.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
