Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Pregnant women and children in rural areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal are at the risk of being infected with malaria during the rainy season.

Malaria Day is celebrated in November in the province and government leaders and the community meet to educate locals about the disease and how to control its spread.

Last year more than 500 people were affected by malaria, five of whom died. Health authorities say rural communities in areas such as Umkhanyakude, Uthungulu and Zululand were at high risk of contracting malaria and many stay indoors to keep away from the "killer" mosquitoes.

This week an educational campaign to make locals aware of the disease kicked off in northern Zululand. Information leaflets and medication were distributed at local clinics.

The provincial department of health and of agriculture and environmental affairs also took part in the yearly disinfecting programme at eMboza in Umkhanyakude. Every home in the district would be sprayed with DDT pesticide.

MEC for health Peggy Nkonyeni and MEC for agriculture and environmental affairs Mtholephi Mthimkhulu visited the home of a malaria survivor to mark the day on Tuesday.