MALARIA HIGH ALERT Post Rain and Floods in Southern Africa – April-May 2003

Parts of Southern Africa have been placed on a high alert for risk of increased malaria transmission and possible malaria epidemics. Malaria teams are already busy responding with warning to public and communities and distribution of drugs, mosquito nets and insecticide re-treatment of existing nets to address the normal needs of the seasonal malaria increases expected during this time of the year in the sub region. As the rains now stop in April and May 2003 malaria teams are also now preparing for further malaria increases and crises which could follow the impact of cyclones and floods during the months of February and March 2003

Malaria is a disease of poverty affecting people in poor rural areas and poor urban areas who cannot afford to protect themselves with insecticide treated mosquito nets or obtain the malaria drugs early when ill with malaria. Malaria is caused by the malaria mosquito and malaria parasite, however malaria transmission levels are influenced by environmental factors including temperature, rainfall and humidity. Since January 2003, Southern Africa has been experiencing a number of extreme climatic variations as a result of the Cyclone Delphine which passed through the Mozambican channel creating heavy rainfall and flooding over parts of Mozambique and Malawi, followed by cyclone Japhet, which hit Mozambique and traveled inland, resulting in flooding in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe followed with heavy rainfall and flooding in the Zambezi valley. These events, which follow the period of drought in late 2002 have created very favorable conditions for malaria transmission and possible epidemics in Southern Africa. 

Malaria transmission is seasonal in much of Southern Africa, with changes in transmission levels clearly evident following the rainy season in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. Countries scale up their malaria control activities each year to prevent, prepare and respond early to the malaria problem, based upon malaria seasonal forecasts and malaria early warning systems. 

The result of the above mentioned conditions have placed Zimbabwe and Mozambique on a state
of very high alert, whilst Malawi and Zambia are in the process of targeting flood affected areas with malaria interventions. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland continue their surveillance following a period of heavy rainfall, in anticipation of possible outbreaks, but conditions are currently reported as normal. 


Angola, whilst not affected by these particular anomalies is continuing with its efforts to scale up its malaria control activities to target people returning to their home after the war. A recent health event in Angola, the ‘caravan of life’ has moved large supply of malaria control commodities (Drugs, Mosquito nets etc) to the provinces and districts to aid this process.

Information About Malaria To The General Public

The floods that occurred have a potential of increasing mosquito-breeding sites at the end of the rainy season before winter starts. The advise from the WHO-Southern Africa Malaria Program is that individuals, families and communities should protect themselves against malaria. All those persons traveling from non-malarial areas to malarial areas should take preventive measures against malaria.

Remember: Malaria is Preventable and Curable. It Is Your Responsibility To Protect Yourself And Your Family From Malaria:

There is high risk of catching malaria within Southern Africa during the months of April- May and people are advised that:

	Malaria is preventable. - People should sleep under a insecticide treated mosquito net, apply skin repellents before fore dark, before going to sleep and at dawn
	Malaria can be cured - Seek treatment early if a person suspect’s malaria especially for pregnant women, young children, under-fives, and chronically ill people.
	If treatment is not sought quickly-Serious complications like anaemia, confusion and loss of conscious and even death can occur. In children malaria can cause high fever and convulsions.
	If you are traveling to a malaria area, take an insecticide treated mosquito net, take malaria drugs for prevention and mosquito skin repellents

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