Botswana experiences alarming increase in malaria deaths

So far, the minister said there have been 18 deaths causes by malaria and 1,249 cases. Last year, there were seven deaths and 429 cases. This year, 70 percent of malaria cases have been recorded in the Okavango. The disease was reported in areas such as Palapye, Mahalapye and Kweneng East, which are ordinarily expected to be malaria free.

Seakgosing told Parliament that the outbreaks, which also occurred in Chobe and Ngami, were due to heavy rainfall experienced this year. The cases are a setback to Botswana’s commitment to completely eliminate malaria by 2015.