Covid-19 a threat to identifying malaria cases

Despite South Africa being in its peak malaria season, many malaria cases are being misdiagnosed as Covid-19.

During a media briefing this week, Dr Jaishree Raman, head of the Laboratory for Antimalarial Resistance Monitoring and Malaria Operational Research Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), urged people with Covid-19 symptoms to be tested for malaria too.

“Patients are presenting late, thinking they have flu or Covid-19. Healthcare providers are not considering malaria in fever patients who reside in or have travelled to a malaria-risk area,” said Raman.

Also read: Covid-19 relief funds treated as a ‘get rich quick scheme’ – SIU report

She added that undiagnosed and untreated malaria may rapidly progress to severe illness, with a potentially fatal outcome.

Raman urged people who have a fever or flu-like symptoms – and who live in a malaria-risk area in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal or Mpumalanga or who have travelled to a malaria-risk area, especially Mozambique, in the past six weeks – to be tested for malaria by blood smear microscopy or a malaria rapid diagnostic test.

“If a patient tests positive for malaria, the patient must be started on malaria treatment, immediately,” Raman said.

“Standard treatment for uncomplicated malaria in South Africa is still effective and severe malaria should be treated with IV artesunate.”

Also read: PPE report: Most cellphones Limpopo health dept spent R10m on never distributed

Antimalarial medicine and precautions

Raman advised people who intend travelling to a malaria-risk area to consider taking chemoprophylaxis.

“They are very effective, and they do not mask malaria symptoms. In addition to this, people should consider using non-pharmaceutical measures, including using DEET-based insect repellents,” Raman said.

When outdoors after sundown, wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and socks. Close windows and use air conditioners, fans and mosquito coils.

“The NICD has also been tracking – and is now aiming to create awareness about – what we refer to as taxi (odyssean) malaria,” Raman said.

“These are malaria infections in individuals with no recent travel to a malaria-risk area, caused by a ‘hitch-hiking’ mosquito.

“These cases are associated with high fatality rates due to delayed detection and treatment. Patients must let healthcare providers know of family or neighbours who have travelled to malaria-risk areas or if they live near major highways, ports of entry or transport hubs where these ‘hitch-hiking’ mosquitos can be found.

“Healthcare providers should consider malaria if the fever patient is getting sicker and has a low platelet count,” said Raman.

Also read: Covid-19 relief funds treated as a ‘get rich quick scheme’ – SIU report

Covid-19 stats

On January 27, the NICD reported 4 100 new Covid-19 cases, which bought the total to 3 594 499.

This represented a 10.5% positivity rate.

The National Department of Health reported another 160 deaths which brought the total number of fatalities to 94 651.

The NICD reported that yesterday 22 159 247 tests were conducted. 

The majority of new cases were in Gauteng at 29% followed by Western Cape at 15%.

The cumulative number of recoveries reported was 3 432 829.