The Free State Ministry of Health is encouraging the public to refrain from sharing unverified information in light of the recent confirmed cases of malaria in the province.
According to the department, no other cases have been reported other than the three previous cases in Luckhoff. As a precaution, the Multidisciplinary Outbreak Response Teams continue to raise awareness and actively screen in the area to ensure no cases are overlooked.
“The source of the infection in this non-endemic area remains unknown. Provincial and national experts are conducting investigations to determine the source and provide a plausible scientific explanation,” said the spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi.
Locals are advised to seek medical attention at the nearest clinic or hospital if they experience fever, chills, headache, body aches or flu-like symptoms, especially if they have been to malaria-endemic areas.
“Reduce mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and long pants at night, and removing standing water around homes.”
In addition, a team of entomologists from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) will visit Xhariep district between October 14 and 17, 2025 to collect mosquito samples for testing, to determine the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes that may be linked to the cases.
“Genotyping results indicate that the family of three may have been bitten by the same mosquito,” Mvambi added.
A 23-year-old man has been discharged from Mediclinic Bloemfontein and traveled safely to Potchefstroom, while the wife of the 50-year-old man who died earlier this month remains hospitalized.
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