Malaria cases in the Ohangwena Region reached high numbers between September 2024 and the 5th of January, with 1,888 cases recorded over that period.

Of these, 844 were local and 1,044 non-local, with cases ranging from as young as six months, to 101 years.

"In the Ohangwena Region, there is currently an outbreak of malaria. Signs and symptoms of malaria the community needs to know are fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, and bleeding from the nose. For the community to protect themselves, they need to allow the spraying programme to spray their houses, and they need to sleep under mosquito nets that are treated," warned the Senior Health Program Officer for Special Programs in the Ohangwena Region, Indilashiwa Puleinge.

340 people are admitted in Ohangwena, with 219 of those cases classified as Complicated Malaria.

Two pregnant women were among the positive cases. 

"Pregnant women are the most affected people in our communities. Number one, they must sleep under mosquito nets, especially pregnant women and children under the age of 5, because their immune systems are already compromised."

The region, under Eenhana District, recorded three related deaths since September last year.