Malaria Outbreak In Matsiloje
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday May 15, 2017 16:21
Senior nurse at Matsiloje clinic, Lethabile Mabonga told a Kgotla meeting that was addressed by Minister Tshekedi Khama on Thursday to discuss the problem of elephants that are causing major destruction in the northeast district that so far two people in Matsiloje have tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease.
Mabonga said they suspect that the heavy rains that were brought by the tropical storm Dineo in the beginning of this year may have caused the disease.
“This week we discovered that two people were infected with a Malaria parasite. We were caught by surprise because Matsiloje is not an area that is prone to Malaria. The patients are currently hospitalised at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital. They are recovering very well,” Mabonga said.
Mabonga advised people to cut grasses in their homes, which are habitat for mosquitoes.
The nurse also advised residents to discard objects like tins, which have holes carefully in closed bags for disposal because the tins are also a habitat for mosquitoes.
She said if people notice Malaria symptoms like high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms they should go to health facilities to check if they have Malaria.
Mabonga also advised the public to buy mosquito repellants and nets to protect themselves from being infected with the Malaria parasite.
In February this year in the Nata-Gweta constituency, a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) helicopter airlifted a child who had contracted Malaria to hospital for treatment.
Health authorities also said that they suspect that the heavy rainfalls that were brought by the tropical storm Dineo in the beginning of this year may have caused the disease in area. The disease has since been eradicated in the area.
Botswana is among countries with the lowest Malaria cases. The country also boasts a low record of Malaria deaths. In 2016 the country recorded only five deaths as a result of malaria a development which very commendable according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which was very commendable.