Ombadja — A total of 8,972 cases of malaria were reported by the Public Health Services in Ombadja, southern Cunene province, from January to the first fortnight of December this year, with 49 deaths.

The information was released by the head of the Public Health Services in the region, Jelson Ladislau Kativa, who said there has been an increase of more than 3,000 cases as compared to the same period in 2011.

According to the source, this is why awareness on measures against the disease has been intensified in the region.

Jelson Kativa added that the fight against the disease on pregnant women and children are the priorities, through the distribution of insecticide impregnated mosquito nets and other means of prevention.

However, in addition to malaria, the official said, the sector recorded 2,474 cases of diarrhoea with two deaths, 3,926 respiratory diseases, 420 cases of bronchitis, 52 of tuberculosis, 32 of anaemias, 199 of conjunctivitis, 130 of otitis and 70 of malnutrition.

With a territorial extension of 12,264 square kilometres, the municipality of Ombadja has a population estimated at about 183,000 inhabitants.