In Botswana's North West District, health officials have reported a worrying increase in malaria cases, with a total of 38 confirmed infections and one related death occurring from November 2025 to January 2026. Dr. Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe, the Deputy Council Secretary for Primary Health, highlighted the significant public health implications of this trend, emphasizing the seriousness of the malaria outbreak affecting the local community.

Nine villages within the district have been impacted, particularly the Botshabelo and Moeti wards in Maun, which are experiencing the brunt of the outbreak during this peak season. The rising number of cases places urgent pressure on health authorities to address the worsening situation and implement effective measures to control the disease's spread among residents. The reported cases underscore the importance of community awareness and response in mitigating health crises.

Additionally, Dr. Maripe-Ebutswe raised concerns regarding approximately 1,000 households that have declined indoor spraying, a key preventative method in controlling malaria transmission. This refusal poses a significant barrier to reducing the risk of further infections, thereby necessitating heightened education and outreach to promote compliance with public health interventions aimed at fighting malaria in the district.