Namibia is stepping up its fight against malaria following a sharp rise in cases in early 2026, with health authorities and partners working around the clock to contain the outbreak and protect at-risk communities.

A worrying rise in cases
After years of steady progress in eliminating malaria, the country is now experiencing a resurgence. Heavier and unusual rainfall has created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, enabling the disease to spread more rapidly, including in areas that previously had little or no transmission.

In the first ten weeks of 2026 alone, nearly 28,000 malaria cases were recorded across all regions of Namibia. Most of these infections were locally transmitted, with young children and pregnant women among the most vulnerable.
Some areas have been particularly hard hit, including Katima Mulilo, Andara, Nkurenkuru, Outapi, and Nyangana—highlighting where urgent action is most needed.

A coordinated response on the ground
In response, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, with support from WHO, brought together health teams from across the country for a week-long review in the most affected regions, Zambezi, Kavango East, and Kavango West.
The meeting created space for frontline health workers, regional leaders, and technical experts to reflect on what is working, where gaps exist, and how to strengthen the response moving forward.

Together, they focused on improving how cases are identified and managed, strengthening mosquito control strategies, and ensuring that communities are well-informed and actively participate in prevention efforts.

Turning plans into action
Several immediate actions have already been prioritized. These include expanding testing in high-risk communities, ensuring patients receive treatment swiftly, and increasing the distribution of mosquito nets and indoor spraying.

Health facilities are extending their opening hours, including weekends and public holidays, to ensure people can access care when they need it most. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to deploy staff to the hardest hit areas, address transport challenges, and improve data reporting so that decisions can be made more swiftly.

Challenges remain
Although progress has been promising, challenges persist. Delays in case reporting, limited capacity to monitor mosquito populations, and gaps in community acceptance of prevention measures continue to impede the response. Addressing these issues will be essential for controlling the outbreak.

Renewed determination to eliminate malaria
Despite the surge, Namibia remains committed to its goal of eliminating malaria. The response—led by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO, Roll Back Malaria (RBM), DAPP, FLAME, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), and other partners—demonstrates strong leadership, a dedicated health workforce, and a collective resolve to save lives.
Speaking on the response, Ms Fransiska Kandambo-Hamutenya, Director of Health in Kavango West Region, highlighted the country’s readiness to respond, noting the strong coordination and commitment at all levels.

Dr Dhruv Pandey, WHO Technical Officer for Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases in Southern Africa, emphasised the importance of preparedness: 

“Strong preparedness and clear plans help ensure we act quickly before outbreaks escalate. WHO remains committed to supporting Namibia with technical expertise at all levels.”

Working together to protect communities
As Namibia faces this resurgence, collaboration remains central to the response. Government, partners, and communities are working together to reduce transmission, protect those most at risk, and steer the country back towards a malaria-free future.
Partners and communities are working together to reduce transmission, protect those most at risk, and steer the country back towards a malaria-free future.