Start of the Malaria Season - Rapid Response Required

Although temperatures in Southern Africa continue to rise, rainfall in some of the countries in Southern Africa is still very low.  Northern and Central Angola, Central Highlands in Madagascar ands its east coast are experiencing scattered showers with increase in temperatures and humidity.  Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced heavy rainfalls during the second week of October 2004.  During this period, malaria transmission continues to be low but incidence is expected to rise during the months of November and December 2004.  The heavy rains that occurred in some of the countries in Southern Africa have a possibility of increasing the risk of malaria transmission in many parts of Southern Africa.  The intensity varies from country to country.  Southern Africa has a long history of malaria control and progress made has been possible because of the positive attitudes towards malaria control in individual countries and the region as a whole.

Floods and drought have a major impact on malaria transmission, generally most countries within the sub-region, experienced storms which resulted in heavy rains.  The heavy rains that occurred between September and October 2004 have a potential of increasing mosquito breeding sites.

Malaria is a major public health problem and second leading cause of illnesses and deaths in the Southern Africa Development Community region. Malaria kills over 250 000 people every year in the region.  In Southern Africa, malaria ranges from the situation of full endemicity with stable transmission throughout the year to areas with stable transmission throughout the year.  In areas of stable transmission, children under-five and pregnant women are at greatest risk.

Rapid Malaria Response

As we commemorate SADC malaria week, malaria campaigns should be planned for and stakeholders mobilised to support malaria efforts.  In addition RBM partners should be mobilised to support countries with the required resources for malaria control  The National Malaria Control Managers and Programme Officers through their respective ministries of health should ensure that:

	All malaria materials, commodities and resources should be in place well ahead of time in preparation for the next malaria season.
	Mosquito nets should be mobilised, retreated and distributed during the malaria season
	All houses targeted for spraying should be sprayed and completed by February 2005
	The SADC malaria campaigns like ITN, IRS should be launched during the SADC Malaria week and taken over through the malaria season
	All health institutions and clinic staff rebound should have adequate stocks of malaria drugs should epidemics occur
	Emergency buffer stocks of drugs, nets and insecticides materials should be in place to respond to epidemics
	Information campaigns targeted to communities, families and health workers should be carried out to inform and to educate communities about malaria.  SADC Malaria Week campaigns are commemorated in November of each year and this platform could be used to advocate and promote malaria strategies.
	Religious sectors, traditional and political leaders should be mobilised to support local malaria actions.

Joint coordinated efforts between National Roll Back Malaria Partners, Multilateral and Bilateral agencies are required to respond to epidemics.  The actions required by individuals, families and communities include the following:

	Allow spraying teams to spray their houses and not repaint or re-plaster walls until the end of the season
	Make sure old mosquito nets have been recently re-treated with insecticides to protect oneself and your family from mosquito bites.  Procure new treated mosquito nets.
	Seek treatment early if you suspect malaria
	Pregnant women should take preventive tablets during pregnancy to avoid complications
	Pregnant women and your children should use treated nets to avoid mosquito bites

Remember Malaria Is Preventable and Curable

	Use A Treated Mosquito Net
	Seek Treatment Early
	Pregnant Women Should Take Preventative Tablets To Avoid Complications

Back to Press Releases