Oshikoto battles steep rise in malaria cases
Authorities take urgent steps to protect population
More than 250 cases of malaria have been reported in the Oshikoto Region between January and 18 February this year.
Oshikoto regional health director Joshua Nghipangelwa has urged community members to seek early treatment following an outbreak of malaria in the region.
According to Nghipangelwa, 256 cases of malaria were reported between January and 18 February this year.
"The regional crisis response team and the district response team have started responding to the outbreak," he said.
He added that the team has investigated a majority of cases and visited the most-affected areas to educate the population about the risks and to distribute long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.
"We have also introduced new methods to contain the increasing malaria cases in the region by combatting breeding sites with larvae and spraying houses that have reported cases," Nghipangelwa said.
On the ground
He said health authorities are testing and treating cases both at health facilities and within the community, conducted by community health workers.
"These cases are sporadic. The entire region is affected, but the most-affected constituency is Okankolo."
Nghipangelwa said Onandjokwe District Hospital has recorded the highest number of cases with 92, and most of these cases originated from the Okankolo constituency.
Tsumeb Hospital has recorded 84 cases and Omuthiya District Hospital recorded 80 cases from January to 18 February.
"Everyone is at risk of contracting malaria, so no one is safe," he warned.
He urged residents of the region to protect themselves from mosquito bites both outdoors and in their homes.
Ohangwena outbreak
In late January, Namibia Media Holdings reported that the Ohangwena Region had recorded a total of 392 cases of malaria.
Of these, 154 cases were documented locally in Ohangwena, while 238 cases originated elsewhere.
George Jeremiah, the acting regional health director, said at the time that there has been a shortage of testing materials over the past two months, and they now rely exclusively on microscopic tests conducted in laboratories in the region.
"Looking at the statistics for 2023, malaria cases have slightly increased. The local cases are very dangerous, indicating that the vector is within Namibia and not outside," he said in January.
In their efforts to contain the further spread of malaria, the region deployed a team of 241 sprayers to the three districts last year.
Justine Haikali, the senior environmental and health practitioner in Ohangwena and coordinator of the malaria spraying programme, said the teams had covered 35% of at-risk villages.
She added that only a few households still refused to have their houses sprayed – unlike in the past when many resisted.
Health authorities also reported that in 2023, four people in the region died from malaria.
According to Nghipangelwa, 256 cases of malaria were reported between January and 18 February this year.
"The regional crisis response team and the district response team have started responding to the outbreak," he said.
He added that the team has investigated a majority of cases and visited the most-affected areas to educate the population about the risks and to distribute long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.
"We have also introduced new methods to contain the increasing malaria cases in the region by combatting breeding sites with larvae and spraying houses that have reported cases," Nghipangelwa said.
On the ground
He said health authorities are testing and treating cases both at health facilities and within the community, conducted by community health workers.
"These cases are sporadic. The entire region is affected, but the most-affected constituency is Okankolo."
Nghipangelwa said Onandjokwe District Hospital has recorded the highest number of cases with 92, and most of these cases originated from the Okankolo constituency.
Tsumeb Hospital has recorded 84 cases and Omuthiya District Hospital recorded 80 cases from January to 18 February.
"Everyone is at risk of contracting malaria, so no one is safe," he warned.
He urged residents of the region to protect themselves from mosquito bites both outdoors and in their homes.
Ohangwena outbreak
In late January, Namibia Media Holdings reported that the Ohangwena Region had recorded a total of 392 cases of malaria.
Of these, 154 cases were documented locally in Ohangwena, while 238 cases originated elsewhere.
George Jeremiah, the acting regional health director, said at the time that there has been a shortage of testing materials over the past two months, and they now rely exclusively on microscopic tests conducted in laboratories in the region.
"Looking at the statistics for 2023, malaria cases have slightly increased. The local cases are very dangerous, indicating that the vector is within Namibia and not outside," he said in January.
In their efforts to contain the further spread of malaria, the region deployed a team of 241 sprayers to the three districts last year.
Justine Haikali, the senior environmental and health practitioner in Ohangwena and coordinator of the malaria spraying programme, said the teams had covered 35% of at-risk villages.
She added that only a few households still refused to have their houses sprayed – unlike in the past when many resisted.
Health authorities also reported that in 2023, four people in the region died from malaria.
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