Mozambique says malaria deaths on the rise

28 Feb 2007 14:10 - Staff Reporter

Mozambique registered a rise of 15% in the number of people who died of the disease last year, news reports said on Wednesday. Health Ministry spokesperson Martinhio Djedje said more than six-million cases of the disease were reported in the country's public health centres last year.

Mozambique registered a rise of 15% in the number of people who died of the disease last year, Vista News reported on Wednesday.

Health Ministry spokesperson Martinhio Djedje said more than six-million cases of the disease were reported in the country’s public health centres last year.

A total of 6Â 227Â 719 cases of the disease were reported countrywide compared to 5Â 896Â 411 in the previous year. This represented an increase of about 5,3%.

Of the total number cases reported 4Â 985 people died of the disease, against 4Â 209 in 2005—an increase of about 15,6%.

Djedje said the increase in deaths comes in the wake of stepped-up efforts to fight the disease through the spraying of DDT.

DDT sprays were currently being introduced in Zambezia, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo Urban provinces.

Djeje said there was “no other spray that can be used effectively to kill mosquitoes” and the World Health Organisation had recommended the use of DDT.