MINISTER of health and social services Esperance Luvindao on Wednesday announced the end of the malaria and cholera outbreaks in Namibia.
Luvindao during a media briefing in Windhoek confirmed that no new cholera or malaria cases have been reported for more than 28 days, the required monitoring period before declaring the end of an outbreak.
The minister said the first official case of malaria was recorded on 23 December 2024 and originated from Angola, with a total of 95 412 cases reported, resulting in 154 fatalities.
The minister said the outbreak began in December, with 17 164 cases traced back to Angola.
“This is an abnormal spike. We have not seen this particular spike, with 154 deaths,” she said.
Deputy director of epidemiology in the ministry Iyaloo Mwaningange confirmed that the first cholera case was reported at Opuwo in June.
A total of 18 cases were recorded. She said the illness is most common in boys under the age of 15 years, with one fatality recorded so far.
Luvindao said the ministry will continue to strengthen and empower communities in the prevention of malaria and cholera.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services and stakeholders will continue to strengthen malaria surveillance, enhancing community engagement in which members should be educated on how to protect themselves through proper hygiene measures,” the minister said.
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