The ministry health has restored calm in the country after explaining that the malaria cases which have been on a rise this month are set to decrease as the same numbers were registered last year.
The country is currently experiencing an increase in malaria cases from the baseline seasonal peak usually experienced following a rainy season, the minister of health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng says.
Dr. Aceng was addressing the press at media center on Wednesday, when she explained that cases of malaria have increased by over 400,000 this year, compared with last year, from about 1 million cases in June 2018 to 1.4 million in June 2019 (40% increase).
“However, it is worth noting that cases are still low compared to 2017 and 2016 in the same period” Dr. Aceng said.
he added that the upsurge has affected half the country with approximately 65 districts involved. These are located in; West Nile Region, Acholi Region, Lango, Busoga Region, Bunyoro Region, Buganda Region, Karamoja Region, Teso, Eastern and Western Regions.
The increase in malaria cases according to the minister, is attributed to reasons like seasonality due to the rainy season, climate change, reduced net ownership and use due to the aging of nets distributed in 2017/18 mass long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets campaign.
Also, low malaria prevalence in areas of Kampala which has caused laxity in the population, population growth and refugee immigration in specific regions and movement of populations from high burden areas to low burden areas and vice versa for festive season and employment like farming.
“People in areas with low malaria such as Kampala and Kigezi region (parasite prevalence less than 1%) are prone to severe malaria due to reduced/low immunity.
Minister Aceng urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected malaria cases to the nearest health facility or call toll free line on 0800-100-066.