By Nomazulu Moyo
The Gauteng Department of Health has urged residents to stay alert and seek medical help quickly if they experience symptoms linked to malaria, following a sharp rise in infections and deaths in the province.
This comes after new data showed an increase in cases of the potentially life-threatening disease. “Recent surveillance data indicate a worrying rise in both malaria infections and fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, early detection and prompt treatment to prevent loss of life,” the department said.
Residents are being warned to watch out for symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue, especially if they have recently travelled to high-risk areas like Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. “The department urges residents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue, particularly if they have recently travelled to malaria-endemic areas,” the department said.
Health officials also stressed the importance of prevention. “Preventive measures, including the use of insect repellent and wearing protective clothing, remain essential to reduce the risk of infection,” the department added. According to the department, 666 malaria cases were recorded between January and December 2025, with seven deaths reported.
However, the situation has worsened this year. Between January and March 2026, 414 confirmed cases and 11 deaths have already been recorded. “This represents a significant increase compared with the same period in 2025, which recorded 230 cases and one death,” the department said. Officials say the rise is linked to increased travel during the festive season, with many residents visiting malaria-endemic regions and returning with higher exposure to the disease.
“This upward trend signals heightened transmission risk, particularly in the early months of the year after the festive season, when many residents travel to malaria-endemic regions, increasing their exposure and risk of infection upon their return,” the department noted. Malaria is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While it can be prevented and treated, delays in diagnosis can lead to severe illness or death.
As the world prepares to mark World Malaria Day 2026 on 25 April, the department is calling on residents to take precautions. “The department continues to closely monitor the situation and is strengthening public health interventions to control the spread of malaria and reduce mortality across the province,” it said.
