December 2002
Welcome to the 8th National Malaria Update.
This update serves to present the current trends in the national malaria cases and deaths. It provides feedback to a range of persons involved in malaria control programmes. The figures presented are subject to modification and thus changes in previous month data may occur.
Limpopo
A total of 325 malaria cases with 0 malaria deaths have been reported for December 2002. For the year 2002, 4 581 cases of malaria were notified. This figure represents a 36% decrease in the incidence of malaria compared to 2001. Just less than half (47%) of the cases were notified from the Levubu/Shingwe (75) and Mutale (79) health districts.
For the year 2002, 42 malaria related deaths were reported. This figure represents a 31% decrease in the number of malaria related deaths when compared to 2001. The case-fatality rate for the province is 0.9%. This figure is above the National target of 0.5%.
Mpumalanga
For the period of December 2002, 163 malaria cases were notified. In addition, 29 malaria related deaths were reported for this period. In comparison to the 2001 malaria case notifications, the total for 2002 represent a 12% decrease. Just less than 50% (87/163) of the malaria cases reported for December were from the Tonga district. The Komatipoort Municipal facility, Tonga Hospital and Naas clinic collectively accounted for 64% of these cases reported in the Tonga District. There were 7 cases notified from the Kruger National Park. The were notified from the Skukuza, Satara and Tsokwane areas.
In comparison to the 2001 malaria death notifications, the total for 2002 represent a 79% increase. The case-fatality rate for 2002 is 0.4%. This is also an increase in comparison to 2001.
KwaZulu-Natal
For the period of December 2002, 2345 malaria cases were notified. In addition, 16 malaria related deaths were notified. More than 60% (64/104) of these malaria cases were from the Ingwavuma District.
In comparison to 2001 malaria case notifications, there has been a 75% decrease in the number of cases reported. Similarly, there has been a 66% decrease in the number of malaria related deaths reported. However, there has been an increase in the case-fatality rate from 0.5% to 0.7%.
The rest of South Africa
No updated malaria case or death notifications were available from October 2002.
|
Please note: From January, an increase in the number of notified malaria cases in the Limpopo Province has been reported. At this stage, the main problem seems to be in the Vhembe district. Cases reported from Mopani and Bohlabelo are still within the norm. The situation in both these districts will however be monitored closely. Up to date, 846 malaria cases were notified in Vhembe. Of these, 796 have been captured were used for analysing the data. The bulk of these cases (796) were notified from Thohoyandou (317), Malamulele (205) and Mutale (161). The analysis of the reported cases indicated the scattered nature of the cases in more than 300 settlements. The attack rate in most villages is very low. The Tshilidzini Hospital have attended to the most cases (21,6%) followed by Donald Fraser Hospital (15.4 %) The Limpopo Malaria Control Programme shares the concern about this increase of malaria in the province. A well focused approached is however needed based on epidemiological and entomological data using proven malaria control and disease management tools. Of equal importance at this stage is finding ways in reducing further transmission and very important, the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of already infected individuals. The actions taken thus far include: entomological teams are already deployed in the affected areas; case investigation teams are busy with a thorough follow-up of all notified malaria cases; and malaria teams are presently visiting all affected communities educating them on malaria. A regular analysis and update of notifications will b e conducted and decisions of actions to be taken will be based on these. Information supplied by Mr Philip Kruger, Limpopo Programme Manager (27 January 2003) |
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
