Malaria cases are on the rise in the Ohangwena Region, prompting the regional health directorate to declare an outbreak.

The regional leadership held a malaria briefing on Thursday at Eenhana to map out how to combat and manage the outbreak.

The Ohangwena Region declared a full-scale offensive against the ongoing malaria outbreak.

Since January of this year, 1,709 cases have been reported across all three health district hospitals in the region, bringing the total number of malaria cases to 3,898 from October to January 26.

Of the recorded cases, 1,507 are local, while 1,976 are from individuals who travelled to and returned from neighbouring Angola.

Eenhana District Hospital has the highest number of cases, with 637 reported.

Malaria has claimed 28 lives since October.

The region is advising on ways to combat the outbreak, including educating residents on how to prevent mosquito bites, which are the primary cause of malaria.

The Governor of the Ohangwena Region has urged communities to take preventative measures to mitigate the further spread of malaria.