Rundu records 10 malaria deaths, 2 092 cases

Rundu has reported 10 deaths out of 2 092 malaria cases from the beginning of this year to 14 April.

This was confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Malaria was declared an outbreak in November 2024, following a surge in cases in especially the country’s northern regions.

Senior disease surveillance officer at the Rundu Intermediate Hospital Muyenga Pontianus says 465 people were admitted to the hospital during this period.

“Out of the 2 092 confirmed cases, 1 762 were locally recorded,” he says.

Pontianus says 330 cases were imported, involving people seeking medical treatment around the town’s borders.

“Most of the malaria cases are from Muroro and Muhopi villages, as well as the Sauyemwa, Kehemu and Ndama residential areas,” he says.

The senior disease surveillance officer says the hospital is challenged by a shortage of equipment in the region such as rapid diagnostic malaria test kits.

Transport also remains a challenge, he says, adding that patients oftwn give the hospital incorrect residential addresses, making it hard for hospital staff to trace cases.

Meanwhile, the Kavango West region reported six malaria deaths from January to March this year.