10 Mar 2019 | 12:12 AM UTC
Angola: Malaria outbreak results in 486 deaths as of early March /update 1
Malaria outbreak continues with 486 deaths reported nationwide as of early March; over 490,354 cases reported in 2019
Event
According to health officials in Angola, a total of 490,354 malaria cases were recorded nationwide between January 1 and early March. The Ministry of Health reports at least 486 people have died from the disease. The most affected provinces include Uíge and Benguela.
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.
Advice
Individuals in Angola are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites - e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito-netting or in an air conditioned room - and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).
