Gauteng’s malaria burden has climbed sharply in 2026, with 768 infections and 17 deaths recorded between January and September, according to the provincial Department of Health.
The number of cases is 38.6% higher than during the same period last year, when the province recorded 554 infections and six deaths. The latest figures have prompted an urgent warning to residents who travel to malaria-endemic destinations, particularly as the festive season approaches and cross-border travel is expected to increase.
Although Gauteng is not classified as a malaria-endemic province, the department said people living in the province remain exposed when they travel to areas where the disease is prevalent. The warning is aimed at residents leaving the province, rather than suggesting that Gauteng itself has become an endemic area.
“Although Gauteng is regarded as a non-endemic province, residents remain at risk of contracting malaria when travelling to areas where the disease is prevalent,” the department said.
Deaths linked mainly to SADC travel
The provincial figures point to a strong link between the recorded fatalities and travel within the Southern African Development Community region. Fifteen of the 17 people who died in Gauteng during the first nine months of 2026 had travelled to SADC countries before becoming ill.
That represents 88.2% of the recorded deaths. Mozambique was associated with about 59% of the fatalities, making travel to that country a particular focus of the department’s concern. The figures underline the risks faced by residents who may leave Gauteng without first seeking medical advice or taking appropriate precautions.
| Period | Malaria cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| January-September 2025 | 554 | 6 |
| January-September 2026 | 768 | 17 |
| Full-year 2025 | 666 | 7 |
The 2026 total has already exceeded the province’s full-year 2025 figures. Gauteng recorded 666 malaria cases and seven deaths during all of last year. The comparison is significant, even though the 2026 figures cover only the period from January to September.
Health department urges preparation before departure
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona urged residents travelling to malaria-endemic areas to prepare before leaving. The department said people should visit travel clinics and take suitable precautions before and during their journeys.
- Seek medical advice before travelling to a malaria-endemic area.
- Visit one of the travel clinics available in Gauteng’s five health districts.
- Follow the recommended precautions before departure and while travelling.
The appeal places emphasis on prevention and early preparation. Travellers may be focused on transport, accommodation and border arrangements during the busy holiday period, but the department’s figures show that health planning must also form part of those arrangements.
For Gauteng residents, the risk can be easy to overlook because the province is considered non-endemic. The department’s warning makes clear that a person’s place of residence does not remove the danger associated with visiting an area where malaria is prevalent.
Festive-season concern
The timing of the alert is important. With more residents expected to travel to neighbouring countries during the festive season, the department is encouraging people to use the available travel clinics in the province’s five health districts before they leave.
The latest statistics also show the seriousness of the increase in fatalities. Deaths rose from six during the comparable period in 2025 to 17 in 2026, while infections rose from 554 to 768. The department has not described Gauteng as malaria-endemic, but it has warned that travel-related infections can have deadly consequences.
Residents planning cross-border trips should therefore seek advice ahead of time and take the precautions recommended by health professionals. The department’s message is direct: malaria prevention should begin before the journey, especially for travellers heading to destinations where the disease is known to occur.
