Eswatini has recorded 360 malaria cases and five related deaths, as the country enters the rainy season.
In response, the ministry of health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) Eswatini has intensified health education and community outreach in affected areas, particularly in the Lubombo and Hhohho regions.
On Wednesday, a joint team from WHO, the National Malaria Control Programme and the Health Promotion Unit visited Ngonini community in Lubombo, one of the areas hardest hit by malaria. Over 100 men and women attended the session, where they received vital information on identifying the signs and symptoms of malaria, as well as effective prevention and control measures.
Health Promotion Programme Manager Sidumo Lukhele emphasised the importance of community involvement in curbing the spread of the disease. He revealed that of the 338 cases investigated, 66% were indigenous, indicating a concerning shift toward local transmission rather than imported cases.
“Eswatini had made significant progress toward malaria elimination, but the recent resurgence requires renewed and strengthened efforts. Communities must be empowered with accurate information and the tools to protect themselves,” Lukhele said.
Between July 2024 and March 2025, the country reported 187 malaria cases, prompting authorities and partners to scale up elimination strategies.
WHO continues to provide technical and logistical support to strengthen the health system, enhance surveillance and improve preparedness for public health emergencies.
Malaria elimination remains a top priority on the national development agenda and within the national health policy. In April 2011, Cabinet approved a national elimination policy, outlining guiding principles necessary to achieve malaria elimination. Government financial commitment has sustained large-scale programme implementation over the years.
In light of the recent surge, Lukhele noted that the ministry and WHO had stepped up efforts to boost community awareness, particularly among high-risk and vulnerable populations, to encourage early detection and timely treatment.
“These efforts aim to prevent severe cases and reduce fatalities as the transmission season progresses,” he said.
Malaria risk in Eswatini is highest in the eastern and northern Lowveld regions, particularly from November to May, when rainfall creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
While the western half of the country, including Mbabane, experiences very low risk, health authorities continue to urge vigilance and preventive practices such as using mosquito nets, wearing long sleeves and applying repellents from dusk to dawn.
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