CAPE TOWN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has recorded an alarming increase in malaria cases following heavy rainfall and flooding, including in non-endemic provinces, health authorities said on Wednesday.
"Malaria cases have increased across parts of southern Africa following unusually heavy rainfall and recent flooding, creating more favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and malaria transmission," the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said in a statement.
"This seasonal rise has also resulted in an increase in malaria cases detected in South Africa, including in provinces where malaria is not normally transmitted," it added.
The uptick is evident in Gauteng, where 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths were recorded in the first three months of 2026, a surge compared to 230 cases and one death during the same period in 2025, according to the provincial health department.
However, authorities said that most infections in Gauteng are imported, meaning patients contracted the disease in endemic provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, or while traveling abroad.
The NICD noted that malaria transmission in South Africa is largely confined to low-altitude areas of those endemic provinces, where environmental conditions support mosquito populations capable of spreading the disease. By contrast, Gauteng is not considered malaria-endemic, and "in areas like Gauteng, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes do not occur, people infected with malaria cannot transmit malaria to others."
The NICD said heavy rains and flooding have increased malaria risk, citing Mpumalanga, which reported more than 300 cases in January alone, while neighboring malaria-endemic countries have also seen a rise in infections.
Health officials warned that while malaria is preventable and treatable, delays in diagnosis can lead to severe illness or death. The NICD urged travelers to take precautions, including taking preventive medication when visiting high-risk areas.
It also advised that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms after traveling to endemic regions should seek immediate medical care and request testing, noting that "early diagnosis and prompt treatment save lives." ■