Malaria outbreak close to containment
The widespread malaria outbreak ravaging the northern parts of Namibia should be contained within the next two months as the rains recede and new cases are treated quickly and effectively.
The minister of health and social services, Dr Bernhard Haufiku, yesterday confirmed that since January this year, 18 people have died from malaria while close to 12 000 have tested positive.
Haufiku also confirmed that the outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever has been contained and one person out of the two confirmed cases died.
“The one confirmed case was discharged from isolation unit at Windhoek Central hospital and is now isolated in the Gobabis hospital.” No other infections have been detected, he said although the blood results of the last two suspected cases would only be released yesterday afternoon.
The minister emphasised that while Namibia is making progress towards the goal of eradicating the disease by 2020, with a 96% reduction in cases and deaths since 2001, outbreaks over the past few years indicated a less rigorous approach to the deadly disease.
In 2012, a total of 3 163 cases of malaria, and four deaths, were reported. In spite of the progress, the next years saw a spike in infections and deaths, with 24 682 cases reported in 2016, of which 87 died.
Between January and March 2016, a total of 7 779 cases of malaria were reported, and a total of 32 people reportedly died, the minister said yesterday.
He cautioned furthermore that in most cases, deaths result when cases of malaria are detected to late and has transformed to complicated cases of malaria, including kidney failure and cerebral malaria.
Moreover, those who are more vulnerable, including the young and the elderly are often most at risk.
Those who are treated early have a greater chance of overcoming the infection.
“It comes with late presentation. That is where we are losing. The primary thing is to prevent,” he said.
Haufiku said some of the issues that led to resurgence in malaria outbreaks between 2013 and last year include pockets of land that were no sprayed, and incompatible spraying operations between neighbouring country Angola and Namibia.
Moreover, mosquito net distribution was “weak” and people were not using those that were handed out.
As a result, the country is now faced with “this type of disaster”, the minister said, saying that the way forward was improving and strengthening efforts to stop the spread of the outbreaks.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The minister of health and social services, Dr Bernhard Haufiku, yesterday confirmed that since January this year, 18 people have died from malaria while close to 12 000 have tested positive.
Haufiku also confirmed that the outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever has been contained and one person out of the two confirmed cases died.
“The one confirmed case was discharged from isolation unit at Windhoek Central hospital and is now isolated in the Gobabis hospital.” No other infections have been detected, he said although the blood results of the last two suspected cases would only be released yesterday afternoon.
The minister emphasised that while Namibia is making progress towards the goal of eradicating the disease by 2020, with a 96% reduction in cases and deaths since 2001, outbreaks over the past few years indicated a less rigorous approach to the deadly disease.
In 2012, a total of 3 163 cases of malaria, and four deaths, were reported. In spite of the progress, the next years saw a spike in infections and deaths, with 24 682 cases reported in 2016, of which 87 died.
Between January and March 2016, a total of 7 779 cases of malaria were reported, and a total of 32 people reportedly died, the minister said yesterday.
He cautioned furthermore that in most cases, deaths result when cases of malaria are detected to late and has transformed to complicated cases of malaria, including kidney failure and cerebral malaria.
Moreover, those who are more vulnerable, including the young and the elderly are often most at risk.
Those who are treated early have a greater chance of overcoming the infection.
“It comes with late presentation. That is where we are losing. The primary thing is to prevent,” he said.
Haufiku said some of the issues that led to resurgence in malaria outbreaks between 2013 and last year include pockets of land that were no sprayed, and incompatible spraying operations between neighbouring country Angola and Namibia.
Moreover, mosquito net distribution was “weak” and people were not using those that were handed out.
As a result, the country is now faced with “this type of disaster”, the minister said, saying that the way forward was improving and strengthening efforts to stop the spread of the outbreaks.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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