ONGWEDIVA - Since the beginning of the year, Omusati region has recorded 54 cases of malaria with no fatalities. Of those cases, 38 were transmissions from Angola, while 18 cases were reported from local patients. 

In 2022, 412 cases of malaria were reported in the region.

The Omusati regional health director Alfons Amoomo revealed this.

According to Amoomo, the 38 non-local cases of malaria transmission occurred in Angola but were recorded in Namibia when Angolans bitten by anopheles while in Angola, became sick and came for treatment at the health facilities in Namibia (Omusati).

“Most cases in the region come from the Outapi and Oshikuku districts and the cases are usually recorded in the rainy season when mosquitoes breed the most,” he stressed.

He said that the indoor residual spraying programme, which is carried out every year from September to December just before the start of the rainy season, is one of the intervention techniques used to stop the development of malaria. 

“In the meantime, the general population is also given health education, and follow-up visits to the homes where cases were found are made to conduct testing for early detection and treatment,” he indicated 

Amoomo noted that mosquito nets are also a crucial intervention strategy in the prevention of malaria, are needed by the ministry of health for distribution to the community.

He stressed that avoiding mosquito bites can prevent malaria. This can be done by wearing long sleeve clothes and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellent on exposed skins and sleeping under long lasting treated net.

“Members of the public should report immediately to the nearest health facility when they experience signs and symptoms of malaria,” he urged.

He also mentioned some of the challenges such as lack of information in society and that some people refuse to let health workers spray in their bedrooms to kill mosquitoes.

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na