Limpopo malaria cases on rise

2006-01-03 11:08

Johannesburg - Five more cases of malaria have been reported in Limpopo, bringing the number of those critically ill to 22, said health department spokesperson Phuti Seloba on Tuesday.

Seloba said the five were admitted to Donald Fraser Hospital in Thohoyandou on Monday, bring the number of recorded cases to 58.

Seloba said the department was concerned the number might increase as people came back from holiday.

"We urge people to go to the nearest clinic as soon as they start experiencing symptoms of malaria such as headache and fever."

He said the outbreak was caused by a lot of a activity in the area.

"We have had serious rainfall for the whole of December and there is a lot of fruit growing in the area.

"When people throw away rotten fruit, the compost forms a breeding ground for mosquitoes."

Seloba said there was no reason for panic as the situation was under control.

He said the number of malaria cases reported this year was far less than the 300 cases a week reported last year.

- SAPA