Namibia reports 122 malaria deaths and over 122,000 cases in 2026

Namibia has recorded 122 malaria deaths and 122,612 confirmed cases in 2026, prompting the government to launch an indoor residual spraying campaign targeting 1.2 million households. Minister of Health Esperance Luvindao announced a shift in resources to high-transmission areas following a joint review with the World Health Organisation, which revealed that indoor spraying fell below the 85% target. Namibia also plans to collaborate with Angola, Zambia, and Botswana to manage 23,354 imported cases.

Namibia malaria mortality statistics

• ▪Namibia recorded 122 malaria deaths and 122,612 confirmed malaria cases as of September 2026.
• ▪Out of the 122,612 confirmed malaria cases in Namibia in 2026, 9,956 people were admitted to the hospital.

Malaria case distribution patterns

• ▪Of the 122,612 confirmed malaria cases in Namibia in 2026, 99,078 were contracted locally and 23,354 were imported.
• ▪The Kavango East region of Namibia recorded 37,488 malaria cases, representing 30.6% of the national total, and 22 malaria deaths in 2026.
• ▪Malaria remains present in 10 of Namibia's 14 regions, including Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Kunene, Oshikoto, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa.

Indoor residual spraying campaign

• ▪The Namibian government is preparing to spray 1.2 million households in malaria-prone regions as part of its 2026 indoor residual spraying campaign.
• ▪Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao announced the 2026 malaria statistics and launched the indoor residual spraying campaign at Divundu on September 6, 2026.

Malaria programme review findings

• ▪The joint review of Namibia's malaria programme found gaps in insecticide-treated mosquito net distribution, mosquito breeding site management, mosquito monitoring, and community health worker supervision.
• ▪The joint review of Namibia's malaria programme identified that indoor spraying remained below the World Health Organisation's minimum target of 85%.
• ▪A review of Namibia's malaria programme by the government, Roll Back Malaria, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, and the World Health Organisation found that surveillance and diagnosis systems were functional.
• ▪Due to a high volume of malaria cases creating a backlog in individual case investigations, the Namibian health ministry adjusted its approach to focus resources on high-transmission areas.

Regional cross-border malaria coordination

• ▪The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services plans to strengthen cross-border collaboration with Angola, Zambia, and Botswana to control malaria transmission.
• ▪Imported malaria cases entering Namibia from neighboring countries totaled 23,354 as of September 2026, prompting plans for closer regional cooperation.

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