Malaria kills 28, leaves 840 in hospitals

Malaria has killed 28 people in Namibia since January 19, 2025
The health ministry says 840 others were admitted to hospitals.
During the same period, the ministry confirmed 5,898 malaria cases.
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe said malaria outbreaks exist in 20 of 26 malaria-endemic districts.
Half of Namibia’s population lives in malaria-endemic areas such as the Kavango, Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Omusati, and Zambezi regions.
According to Nangombe, Eenhana accounts for 24%, Okongo 13%, Engela and Engela 13% each, Nkurenkuru 12%, and Outapi 10%.
Nangombe said local transmission accounts for 3,493 cases and imported transmission for 1,455.
He explained that malaria transmission in Namibia is seasonal and varies from region to region between December and May each year.
Nangombe called on those travelling to malaria-endemic regions to sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net and to use insect/mosquito repellents.
He also advised wearing long sleeves and seeking medical attention for fever, chills, headaches, and muscle or joint pain.
Communities in malaria-endemic regions must clear weeds, grass, and bushes to ensure no idle containers with water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
“For those on treatment, it is crucial that once treatment for malaria commences, patients must complete the entire prescribed course, even if symptoms appear to clear up.
“Under no circumstances should medications be shared between individuals, as this poses a significant risk to treatment effectiveness and can lead to drug resistance,” Nangombe said.