By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image: WHO.
The Gauteng Department of Health has called for vigilance following a sharp increase in the Malaria cases and deaths in the province, recording 414 cases and 11 deaths in 2026.
According to the department, malaria, a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, continues to pose a serious public health risk.
Recent surveillance data shows a concerning upward trend. Between January and December 2025, Gauteng recorded 666 malaria cases and seven deaths. However, in just the first three months of 2026, the province has already reported an increase of 252 cases.
This marks a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 230 cases and one death were recorded.
“The upward trend signals heightened transmission risk, particularly in the early months of the year after the festive season, when many residents travel to malaria-endemic areas,” the department said.
Residents are being urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue, especially after travelling to high-risk areas including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
“Preventive measures, including the use of insect repellent and wearing protective clothing, remain essential to reduce the risk of infection,” the department added.
As World Malaria Day approaches on 25 April 2026, the department said it is intensifying public health interventions and monitoring the situation closely.
The day provides an opportunity to draw attention to the global fight against a preventable yet deadly mosquito-borne disease — and to inspire accelerated efforts toward elimination.
Malaria remains a major cause of illness and death in many lower-income countries. There were 282 million cases of malaria in 2024 — 610,000 of them fatal. The disease has been particularly devastating on the African continent, where children under age 5 account for 75 percent of all malaria deaths.