February 2003

This update serves to present the current trends in the national malaria cases and deaths for South Africa. The update reports on data mainly from the malaria affected provinces in South Africa. It provides feedback to a range of persons involved in malaria control programmes. The figures presented are subject to modification as provinces conduct follow-ups and verify the data.

Annual malaria notifications

The annual notified malaria cases for South Africa for 1999-2003 are presented below. The malaria notifications for February 2003, demonstrate a 91% reduction in cases compared to those for February 2000. Data from 2000 is used as a "baseline" for monitoring malaria control" in South Africa as South Africa experienced a malaria epidemic during 2000 with 64 622 malaria cases having been reported.

Seasonal malaria notifications

Malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal and is therefore best presented graphically using seasonal data. The provincial seasonal data (July – June) is outlined below.

Limpopo

For the month of February 2003, 486 cases of malaria were reported representing a 71% decrease in comparison to the January 2003 case totals. Three malaria deaths were notified for February 2003. Refer to the Box A below for the latest update on the recent malaria outbreak in the Limpopo province.

Mpumalanga

For February 2003, 152 malaria cases and 0 malaria deaths were notified. Active surveillance detected 23 positive malaria cases (15%). Just less than half (43%) of the notified cases for the month were from the Tonga health district.

KwaZulu-Natal

For February 2003, 153 malaria cases and zero malaria deaths were notified. If the reported malaria cases from February 2003 are compared to those of February 2002, there has been a 43% decrease in the number of reported malaria cases for KwaZulu-Natal.

Compiled by the National Malaria Control Programme, National Department of Health, with the assistance of the Provincial Malaria Control Programme Managers

Please contact Ms Johnson for any enquiries at tel no: (012) 312-0046 or e-mail: johnsc@health.gov.za

BOX A: Update on Malaria Outbreak in Limpopo Province - 26 February 2003

Extracted from a report compiled by Philip KrugerManager: Malaria Control

During January 2003, the province experienced a malaria outbreak in the Vhembe district and parts of the Mopani district. Currently, the malaria situation has returned to normal throughout the province with case numbers below normal for this time of the year being reported

Malaria showed a dramatic decrease as from the last week of January. Thus far into February, this trend of low case numbers is continuing in the province. Cases reported for January and February are as follows:

The graph below indicates the monthly malaria cases in the province since July 1995.

The Limpopo province is an epidemic prone malaria area and sporadic outbreaks will occur from time to time, despite having a successful malaria control programme. Observations over time indicate that outbreaks tend to occur during January of each year. This is normally as a result of an increase in the movement of people and some behavior change during the festive season of spending more time outdoors. The lesson to learn from this is that more emphasis should be placed on creating community awareness of malaria during this time of the year.

The malaria control programme, together with district structures, is busy with an effort to ensure that all health staff is confident and updated with malaria diagnosis and treatment protocols. A training session for health staff was held in Vhembe on 19 February and a similar workshop is planned in Mopani for 6 March. The malaria situation in the province will continue to be closely monitored.