27 Mar 2025

Okavango District has recorded 1 088  Malaria cases since the beginning of malaria season from October 2024 to date.

This was said by the Coordinator of the Okavango District Health Management Team, Dr Bokwena Moali, when addressing the Okavango District Council special meeting recently.

Dr Moali said that 47 of the cases were complicated and one death recorded while eight cases involved pregnant women.

She said Malaria cases have been escalating in the Okavango District hence the district was in week eight of the Malaria outbreak although Malaria was declared an outbreak on March 21 2025 countrywide as it was experienced in other districts.

Dr Moali said that the health team was engaged in health education and distribution of bed nets to schools to curb the disease.

She said Indoor Residual Spraying was ongoing although the coverage was at 51.8 per cent at the moment which was not satisfactory.

Dr Moali said the Okavango DHMT has re-enforced its staff with personnel from other districts to address Malaria outbreak.

She said the challenges experienced were poor use of bed nets, people reluctant to spray and unsprayable house structures.

Dr Moali said the district also experienced limited test kits hence prioritised to test suspected cases and halted contact tracing.

She appealed to members of the community to seek testing as soon as they experiencing malaria symptoms which would help early administering of treatment of the disease.  ENDS