The Gauteng Department of Health has recorded 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths in the first three months of 2026, the fatalities overtaking last year’s total and signalling a dramatic increase in injections, reports IOL.
For the whole of 2025, the province recorded just 230 cases and only one death for the same period – and 666 cases and seven deaths for the year – and the department has warned of an urgent need for strengthened surveillance, early detection and prompt treatment to prevent lives.
Officials attribute the spike largely to increased travel during the festive season, with many residents returning infected from malaria-endemic regions.
The department said it would continue to closely monitor the situation, but warned people not to ignore symptoms.
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