Malaria cases fall for a third year running

Malaria cases fell for the third year in a row, according to figures released by the health ministry this week.

The largest fall was in the lowveld districts, where the disease has been most common.

What changed

The ministry points to bed net coverage, which is now above ninety percent of households in the lowveld, and to indoor spraying carried out before each rainy season.

Faster testing at clinics has also helped. Most clinics now use rapid tests, so patients are diagnosed and treated on the same visit.

Health officials warned that the rainy season is when cases rise and asked households to sleep under their nets every night.