Burundi: Decrease in malaria cases in 2018

Event

Health officials in Burundi have reported a 44 percent decrease in malaria cases between the first six months of 2017, and the same period in 2018. As of mid-June, at least 2,378,081 malaria cases, including 1164 associated deaths, were reported nationwide.

Context

Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, nausea, and body aches; early symptoms usually appear between seven and 15 days after the contaminating mosquito bite. There is no vaccine but preventive medications are available. Generally speaking, the risk of contracting malaria is highest at night (between dusk and dawn), when the mosquitoes that transmit the disease are most active.

Advice

Individuals in Burundi are advised to take measures to prevent mosquito bites and seek medical attention if presenting the above symptoms.