Gauteng malaria cases up 38.6% with at least 17 deaths in 2026

Gauteng residents who plan to visit malaria areas are being urged to take precautions after the province recorded more cases and deaths this year, according to SAnews.

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said at least 17 people died of malaria between January and September 2026. Gauteng is not a malaria-endemic province, but the department stressed that people living there can still catch the disease when they travel to places where it is common.

The numbers

From January to September 2026, the province reported 768 cases and 17 deaths. In the same nine months of 2025, there were 554 cases and six deaths. That is a 38.6% rise in cases. For the whole of 2025, Gauteng recorded 666 cases, including seven deaths.

The department said 15 of the 17 people who died this year had travelled within the SADC region. Mozambique accounted for roughly 59% of the deaths, which the department said shows how cross-border travel adds to the province’s malaria burden.

What the province is doing

Environmental health practitioners in all five health districts follow up on cases to work out where the infection probably came from. Each case is then classified as imported or odyssean malaria. The province also audits every malaria-related death to understand what contributed to it and how to improve its response.

Because malaria is not usually expected in Gauteng, doctors and nurses may not think of it straight away. The department said healthcare workers are receiving ongoing training to spot suspected cases. Case numbers are also tracked every day so that new trends can be picked up early.

Awareness work has been stepped up in high-risk communities, especially ahead of busy travel times such as the festive season. Teams visit taxi ranks and bus stations to explain how to prevent malaria, what the symptoms are and why early treatment matters. On Wednesday, the province held an awareness event at Holomisa Sports Grounds in Bekkersdal, on the West Rand. The department said it is working with municipalities, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Department of Health.

What this means for travellers

• If you are heading to a malaria area, visit a travel clinic before you leave. The department says clinics are available in each of the province’s five health districts.
• Take the precautions you are advised to, both before and during the trip.
• Symptoms include fever and chills, as well as headaches, sore muscles, nausea and vomiting.
• If you develop these symptoms while travelling or after you return, seek medical help immediately and tell the health worker where you have been.

The department described malaria as a serious illness that can be prevented and treated.

This story is based on reporting by SAnews.