Clinical Malaria Transmission Trends and Its Association with Climatic Variables in Tubu Village, Botswana: A Retrospective Analysis

By Elijah Chirebvu1†, Moses John Chimbari, Barbara Ntombi Ngwenya, Benn Sartorius

Good knowledge on the interactions between climatic variables and malaria can be very useful for predicting outbreaks and preparedness interventions. We investigated clinical malaria transmission patterns and its temporal relationship with climatic variables in Tubu village, Botswana. A 5-year retrospective time series data analysis was conducted to determine the transmission patterns of clinical malaria cases at Tubu Health Post and its relationship with rainfall, flood discharge, flood extent, mean minimum, maximum and average temperatures. Data was obtained from clinical records and respective institutions for the period July 2005 to June 2010, presented graphically and analysed using the Univariate ANOVA and Pearson cross-correlation coefficient tests. Peak malaria season occurred between October and May with the highest cumulative incidence of clinical malaria cases being recorded in February. Most of the cases were individuals aged >5 years.

Read full paper: http://www.pubfacts.com/detail/26983035/Clinical-Malaria-Transmission-Trends-and-Its-Association-with-Climatic-Variables-in-Tubu-Village-Bot

Okavango grapples with malaria

Okavango Sub-district is not doing well in the fight against malaria. This is despite progress made by countries and voluntary organisations in eradicating malaria epidemic.  Officiating at the World Malaria Commemoration Day in Seronga, the senior district officer for development for Okavango, Mr Letlhogonolo Nkolane said Okavango contributed more than 50 per cent of the reported malaria cases in the country. 

He said in 2013, there were 456 reported cases countrywide and 192 of these were from Okavango, while in 2014, of the reported 1 341 cases, Okavango was responsible for 888 cases and seven of the 22 deaths reported.

Mr Nkolane said this transmission season from April 2015 to date, 191 cases and six deaths had been reported countrywide and the area contributed 91 cases and no deaths. He said this clearly showed that Okavango was the most affected district. Furthermore, Mr Nkolane urged all stakeholders in the area to work together in order to achieve the goal of eliminating malaria by 2018, as government alone could not manage.

Continue reading: http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=19883