Health ministry says malaria killed 154 in 9 months
Kavango West alone recorded 20 964 cases
Namibia has recorded 154 deaths and 95 412 malaria cases between January and September 2025, prompting the Ministry of Health and Social Services to intensify its annual Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) campaign and appeal for public cooperation.
The campaign, launched on 22 September in Kavango West—one of the hardest-hit regions—will run until 5 December 2025.
Kavango West alone recorded 20,964 cases, 1 520 hospitalisations and 18 deaths this year, with nearly half of the fatalities being children under 15.
Nkurenkuru District accounted for 17 505 cases and 16 deaths, while Ncamagoro recorded 3 459 cases and two deaths.
The worst-affected villages include Katwitwi, Nzinze, Karanawa, Matava, Simanya, Musese, Kambumbu, Mpungu and Tuguva in Nkurenkuru; and Karangana, Halili, Siya, Ntara, Matende, Mupini, Sikondo, Gcamade, Mavanze and Kasivi in Ncamagoro.
Spray resistance
The ministry raised concern over poor cooperation during last year’s campaign, when Kavango West achieved only 52% coverage due to refusals and inaccessible homes.
Spray resistance was highest in Musese, Siko, Mpungu, Nankudu, and Nkurenkuru town, while Matende, Halili, Karangana, Mupini, and Bunya topped the refusal rates in Ncamagoro.
Health minister Esperance Luvindao has appealed to communities in targeted areas to open their homes for spraying as a key measure to reduce transmission.
Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo also echoed the same call.
“As your leader, I am hereby urging you to open up your homes and allow the spray operators to spray, in order for us to move together towards malaria reduction and, eventually, elimination,” Sinimbo said.
She further encouraged spray teams to remain respectful and share schedules in advance to help households prepare.
The IRS, regarded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a leading malaria prevention method, involves coating interior walls with long-lasting insecticides that kill mosquitoes resting indoors after they have fed. This shortens mosquito lifespans, disrupts parasite development and reduces malaria transmission.
The campaign, launched on 22 September in Kavango West—one of the hardest-hit regions—will run until 5 December 2025.
Kavango West alone recorded 20,964 cases, 1 520 hospitalisations and 18 deaths this year, with nearly half of the fatalities being children under 15.
Nkurenkuru District accounted for 17 505 cases and 16 deaths, while Ncamagoro recorded 3 459 cases and two deaths.
The worst-affected villages include Katwitwi, Nzinze, Karanawa, Matava, Simanya, Musese, Kambumbu, Mpungu and Tuguva in Nkurenkuru; and Karangana, Halili, Siya, Ntara, Matende, Mupini, Sikondo, Gcamade, Mavanze and Kasivi in Ncamagoro.
Spray resistance
The ministry raised concern over poor cooperation during last year’s campaign, when Kavango West achieved only 52% coverage due to refusals and inaccessible homes.
Spray resistance was highest in Musese, Siko, Mpungu, Nankudu, and Nkurenkuru town, while Matende, Halili, Karangana, Mupini, and Bunya topped the refusal rates in Ncamagoro.
Health minister Esperance Luvindao has appealed to communities in targeted areas to open their homes for spraying as a key measure to reduce transmission.
Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo also echoed the same call.
“As your leader, I am hereby urging you to open up your homes and allow the spray operators to spray, in order for us to move together towards malaria reduction and, eventually, elimination,” Sinimbo said.
She further encouraged spray teams to remain respectful and share schedules in advance to help households prepare.
The IRS, regarded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a leading malaria prevention method, involves coating interior walls with long-lasting insecticides that kill mosquitoes resting indoors after they have fed. This shortens mosquito lifespans, disrupts parasite development and reduces malaria transmission.
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