Spike in Limpopo malaria cases

POLOKWANE - Limpopo health authorities are on high alert after an unusual spike in malaria cases.

Over 1,400 cases have been reported and sadly two people have died.

Could this be attributed to climate change?

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Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba points out that irregular rainfall patterns are allowing mosquitoes to thrive.

"Usually around March, February, we experience a spike in terms of malaria cases, that's when they peak.

"However, this financial year, we passed March and almost passed April. It started towards April, around the week of the 24th, when we started to notice more cases presenting at our clinics," she said.

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"I think what could have resulted, it's that firstly mosquitoes thrive in the rainy season and also in a warm temperatures, so if you look at this year, even currently now in May, we still experiencing rain, an abundance of rain, especially in those eastern parts of Vhembe and the Loweveld and Mopani, parts of Mopani.

"Also it's very hot, you know today in the morning, its starts being very cold, rainy, and again it becomes very hot. So that is why you probably are seeing the spike and the surge around this area."