The Start of the Malaria Season in Parts of Southern Africa

There are indications of possibility of an early start in the malaria transmission and epidemic season with first increase in December 2003 and January 2004 with initial high risk of epidemics in Mozambique South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. There are high probabilities of normal conditions across Southern Africa. However there is a chance of rainfall sliding into the below –normal category over the south western part of the region. 

A marked increase of malaria cases has been reported in some parts of Zimbabwe and South Africa. The national malaria control programmes in these countries have embarked on an emergency malaria response to combat the situation. In Zimbabwe emergency preparedness plans and strategies are being put in place in preparation for possible emergencies. All programmes within the region have embarked on emergency malaria response and are busy struggling to complete their malaria prevention programmes before the end of January, 2004.The interventions which include indoor residual spraying and the use of treated mosquito nets.

WHO has called for national malaria programmes throughout Southern Africa to ensure they have sufficient drugs for the coming season and that their teams are on stand by to respond to epidemics should they occur. It is strongly recommended that all malaria control programmes actively focus during the months of December, 2003- January 2004 on both prevention and preparation for increased malaria transmission and epidemics. 

Malaria is one of the leading killer diseases in our region. Out of the 139 million people living in Southern Africa, 
approximately 63% live in malarious and it is estimated that in the SADC region about 19-21 million people falling sick from malaria every year. In areas of stable transmission, children, under five year olds and pregnant women are at greatest risk of severe malaria. 

1. Actions Required by the Public 

	Make sure you have a mosquito net treated with insecticides to against mosquito bites.
	Use mosquito repellents and wear long sleeved clothing to avoid mosquito bites.
	If you suspect malaria report to the nearest health center or clinic.
	Seek malaria treatment early and complete the treatment as advised by your health worker.
	If your home is sprayed with insecticides do not replaster wall until the next summer season.
	Report unusual increases of possible malaria to your local community leader, health worker, clinic or hospital.

2. Actions Required by the Media/ Press 

	Keep up to date with the reports of serious malaria increases or epidemics.
	Verify all media reports of malaria from district, provincial, national level to avoid unnecessary panic.
	Develop and issue press releases during the epidemic to keep the nation informed about the malaria situation.

3. Strengthening Capacity Within National Malaria Control Programmes 

	Identify one officer within the national malaria team and one malaria military officer to deal with malaria epidemic control issues during the malaria season.
	Conduct one day review meetings with the national malaria units, regions and provinces to review status of prevention and preparedness.
	Continuous collaboration with the National Meteorological Services and regular access to country specific medium term and short tem forecasts.
	Ensure that the WHO –Country Officers and the National Malaria Control Officers and the National Malaria Control program
	Officers are fully, informed about the malaria situation.

4. Malaria Control Actions

As the rains intensify, the cases of malaria may increase. It is essential that the National Malaria Control Programmes and the Ministries of health put in place mechanisms and strategies to rapidly respond to epidemics. Joint coordinated support and efforts from different stakeholders; NGOs and malaria partners to support a rapid delivery response are required.  Expected malaria actions from the national malaria teams, their governments, the media/press and the general public are discussed below. 

4.1 Preparedness for Malaria Transmission and Epidemics 

	Establish and review the coverage and quality of malaria prevention activities, bed net supply and the re-treatment of existing nets to determine vulnerability.
	Review the malaria drug status to ensure extra stocks of drugs, IV drip –sets blood bank supplies, repellents, insecticides, malaria pumps, mosquito nets in high risk areas
	Ensure the malaria epidemic teams are retrained and on stand by, ready to respond.
	Ensure that there are systems in place for resource mobilization to support malaria epidemic management.
	Identify sites for establishing temporary malaria camps /satellite clinics depending on where the epidemic occurs.
	Set up standby mobile malaria teams at national or epidemic control teams at national, regional, level to support high risk districts.
	Work and inform military and civil defense on the need for preparedness for possible support should epidemics occur.

4.2 Prevention of Increased Malaria Transmission and Epidemics 

	Target and intensify all activities in selected epidemic – Emergency prone districts.
	Indoor residual house spraying where planned should be focused on high-risk areas/ districts for epidemics. All spraying programmes should be completed by mid December, of each year at the latest.

4.3 Actions by National Partners, Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies

	Invest in long-term support to malaria programmes
	Monitor the environmental indicators and malaria warnings issued by national malaria programme officers and partners.
	Prepare to support and to provide emergency funds and mobilize emergency technical support in response to the epidemic.

Remember: 

	Malaria epidemics are natural disasters which kill but and can be prevented and dealt with.
	Malaria is everyone’s problem -If you suspect malaria report to the nearest health worker, clinic, or hospital for further treatment and management.
	Malaria is curable and preventable – Seek Treatment early and save life.

Back to Press Releases