Eleven children under five years with diarrhoea-related symptoms have died in the Zambezi region this year.
This was revealed by the minister of health and social services Esperance Luvindao yesterday.
Luvindao informed The Namibian on Monday regarding the reports of hospitals and clinics in the region being flooded with parents taking their children with diarrhoea and vomiting over the past months.
According to Luvindao, a total of 1 146 diarrhoea cases have been reported in the epidemiological week 31 of 2026, whereby 722 were children under five years of age, while 424 were above five years.
“A total of 66 admissions were reported during the reporting period, of which 58 were children under five years. The report further records 11 deaths among children under five, with a reported case fatality rate of 0.95%. We extend our sincere condolences to all families who have lost children during this difficult period,” she says.
Luvindao says that the cause of the elevated diarrhoea cases is still not known; however, investigations are underway.
She revealed that most of these cases were reported at Ngweze Clinic, Katima Mulilo Hospital, Mavuluma Clinic, Masokotwane Clinic, Lisikili Clinic and Katima Clinic.
“At this stage, the available situation report does not specify a confirmed cause or causative organism for the reported diarrhoea cases. Therefore, we would not wish to speculate on the causes before the appropriate investigations and surveillance processes have established the contributing factors,” she says.
Luvindao reiterates that they have implemented measures to prevent transmission and reduce the risk of complications, including health education on diarrhoea prevention, safe water use and handwashing.
“Parents and guardians are encouraged to observe basic hygiene and safe-water practices and to seek medical attention early when a child develops diarrhoea or other concerning symptoms. Weekly radio talks are also being conducted on diarrhoea prevention, treatment and the importance of oral rehydration and hygiene practices,” she says.
Luvindao further assured the parents and community at large that the pharmacy conducts weekly stock verification to ensure continuous availability of oral rehydration solutions and zinc tablets, as well as the rotavirus vaccine within the region.
“We will continue to monitor stocks and address any emerging gaps through the established channels,” she says.
Luvindao urged parents, guardians, community leaders and all stakeholders to work together with health authorities, follow health advice, maintain proper hygiene and safe water practices, and seek medical attention promptly when children become ill.
Nutritionist Dr Matheus Hamukwaya told The Namibian that he suspects that it might mostly be water and food contamination seeing that it mostly affects children under five years. He added that other factors might be hygiene issues such as lack of hand washing, unclean utensils, as well as malnutrition.
“Children are very fragile to bacteria, especially those under the age of five years. Therefore its very important for water to be boiled before giving them to drink and food to be thoroughly cooked and served in clean utensils. Its also advised that mothers breastfeed their babies because breast milk contains antibodies that can help fight against such diarrhoea-causing bacteria,” he says.
He urges the health ministry and community workers to intensify health education efforts, focusing on hygiene such as hand washing, while urging parents to immediately take children to the clinic when observing signs of diarrhoea.
