Gauteng records 414 malaria cases and 11 deaths in just three months.
Image: Pexels/Jimmy Chan
The Gauteng Department of Health has sounded the alarm after recording 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths in the first three months of 2026, highlighting a sharp and concerning rise in infections across the province.
The figures, covering January to March, already place Gauteng on a troubling trajectory, with fatalities surpassing last year’s total in a fraction of the time. In the whole of 2025, the province recorded 666 cases and seven deaths.
The department described the surge as a serious public health concern, warning of 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.”
Compared to the same period last year, when 230 cases and just one death were reported, the latest figures point to a dramatic escalation in both infections and mortality.
Health officials attribute the spike largely to increased travel during the festive season, with many residents returning from malaria-endemic regions infected.
“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 said.
Malaria, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Authorities have urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches and fatigue, especially after travelling to high-risk areas including Limpopo, Mpumalanga and neighbouring countries.
The department stressed that prevention remains critical, adding that “preventive measures, including the use of insect repellent and wearing protective clothing, remain essential to reduce the risk of infection.”
With World Malaria Day approaching on April 25, officials say efforts are being intensified to contain the spread of the disease and reduce deaths.
“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,” the department said.
Authorities have urged the public not to ignore symptoms, warning that early diagnosis and treatment could be the difference between life and death.
IOL News