Malaria Season Starts with High Increases Reported in Parts of Southern Africa, 14/02/02

Following a forecast of normal to above normal malaria transmission for the 2001/2002 malaria season, significant increases in malaria have been reported in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.  The malaria situation is forecast to deteriorate until May 2002. 

A marked increase in malaria has been reported in two countries within the Southern African region, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, reinforcing the concern raised by the Southern Africa malaria forecast, issued in December 2001 of an above normal risk of high malaria transmission and possible epidemics for much of the region.  Botswana, South Africa, and Swaziland have reported that the season is currently below normal.  Angola, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia have not reported on the current situation this season.

Reports of a marked increase of malaria cases in Mozambique (Maputo City) in Mid-January signalled the start of the season, and have now been compounded by further reports of an increase in Zimbabwe (Chipinge, Guruve and Motoko).  These situations are attributed to a high level of rainfall before January, followed by an unusually dry spell since, which has created favourable conditions for mosquito breeding and hence, malaria transmission.  All programs within the region have been busy struggling to complete their malaria prevention programs before the end of January 2002, which include indoor residual, spraying, the use of  treated mosquito nets, and improved education in malaria protection.

The national malaria control program in Maputo Mozambique has embarked on an emergency malaria response in the suburbs of the city, to combat the situation reported in the Mavalane Area, while in Zimbabwe the Ministry of Health is busy investigating and responding to the reports.  Other countries within the sub-region are currently moving to an increased state of alert as the season progresses.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently on red alert.

The WHO has highlighted its concern of the unusually high risk of malaria this season, due to the early rainfall and current dry spells, and is working closely with partners like the SADC Drought Monitoring Centre to monitor the climatic conditions, which can be used to forecast and predict malaria transmission and possible epidemics.  The WHO has called for national malaria control programs throughout Southern Africa to ensure they have sufficient drugs for the coming season, and that their national epidemic response teams are on standby, to respond as necessary.  Essential partners such as the Civil Protection System and the military should also be notified and be on standby to respond to epidemics, should they occur.  The WHO representative for Zimbabwe and inter-country team leader for Southern Africa has stated ‘There is still time for national programs to be prepared so they can respond to malaria epidemics should they occur.’

The World Health Organisation, African region is currently working closely with the National Ministries of Health, UNICEF, UNDP and the World Bank, throughout Southern Africa as core partners pushing the Roll Back Malaria movement, which aims halve the burden of malaria by 2010.  The SADC Ministers of Health, following a meeting in April 2000 and again in July 2001, have committed their countries to do all that is possible, in order to better predict and control malaria epidemics within Southern Africa and save lives.

Urgent Actions By National Programs To Ensure they are Prepared for Malaria Epidemics

	Establish and review the coverage and quality of the malaria prevention activities (residual spraying, bed net supply and the re-treatment of existing nets) to determine vulnerability
	Reviewing the malaria drug status at national level and below to ensure there are sufficient supplies for the coming season, with buffer stocks in strategic locations to support a response
	Ensure the malaria epidemic control teams are re-trained and on standby, ready to respond
	Ensure there is a system for rapidly mobilising funds to support malaria epidemic management
	Ensure all malaria epidemic plans are in place and up to date.
	Ensure all partners, including the military and civil protection, are sensitised and ready to support a response
	Regularly monitor the disease situation and issue regular updates
	Notify and work with the national civil protection system, to prepare to mobilise additional resources if required

Action Now Required By Public

	Make sure you have mosquito nets treated with insecticides to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites
	Use mosquito repellents twice in the evening and wear long clothing to stop the mosquitoes from biting
	Seek Malaria treatment early if you show malaria signs and symptoms
	Complete the malaria treatment course
	If your home is sprayed with insecticides, do not wash or re-plaster walls until next summer, to ensure you benefit from the protection offered by the chemical
	Report unusual increases in malaria to your local health worker, clinic or hospital

Co-ordinated Action Required By National Partners, Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies

	Make the possibility of support known to the national malaria co-ordinating team and MOH, to support a response
	Monitor the environmental indicators and / or malaria warnings issued by the national program and other active partners
	Prepare to provide emergency funds, and mobilize emergency technical assistance to support malaria epidemic response
	Invest in long term support to malaria control programs

Action Required by the Press Over the Next Four Months

	Investigate any reports of serious malaria increases or epidemics
	Verify all reports with the District / Provincial / National Malaria Control Program to avoid unnecessary panic
	Assist to inform the public of the REAL malaria situation, and how to protect themselves

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