How Rwanda is managing malaria surge amid rainy season

Malaria cases are on the rise in Rwanda, and with the rainy season underway, health authorities are urging people to take precautions. Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has started spraying homes in 28 sectors most affected by the disease, including areas in Gisagara, Bugesera, Nyagatare, Rwamagana, and Kirehe. The campaign is set to expand to 55 more sectors between January and March 2026. ALSO READ: Inside govt plan to curb rising malaria cases Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, the Division Manager for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at RBC, said that in September, Rwanda recorded 114,804 malaria cases, up from 98,000 in August, including 440 severe cases. He added that Gisagara, Bugesera, Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyagatare are the top five districts, accounting for 66 percent of the national malaria burden in September. ALSO READ: Rwanda rolls out new malaria strategy after recording 87,000 cases in March By July, the country had registered 91,169 cases nationwide, with 87 percent concentrated in 15 districts such as Gisagara, Gasabo, Bugesera, Kicukiro, Nyagatare, Nyarugenge, Kirehe, Rulindo, Muhanga, Kayonza, Gicumbi, Karongi, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Nyamagabe. Dr. Mbituyumuremyi said that in addition to the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign, community engagement and mobilisation activities are ongoing, supported by local leaders and civil society organisations, to raise awareness about malaria prevention during this high-risk season. “You can be infected with malaria and show no symptoms, but you can still pass the parasites to mosquitoes, which can then infect others. We advise anyone experiencing signs such as fever, headache, joint pain, or nausea to get tested. In some cases, testing people without symptoms may also be recommended to support malaria elimination efforts,” he said. In January, the government imported new malaria drugs to address rising resistance to existing treatments. According to Dr. Mbituyumuremyi, the new medicines, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and artesunate-pyronaridine, are now available in health facilities and at the community level to manage confirmed cases. Dr. Mbituyumuremyi urged residents to consistently use all prevention measures, including sleeping under mosquito nets, spraying houses, removing breeding sites, using repellents, and seeking early treatment when sick. Eric Niyongira, a medical doctor in Kigali, said malaria cases tend to surge during the rainy season, with early symptoms often similar to those of flu. “Symptoms such as high fever, chills or sweating, severe headache, muscle and joint aches, and nausea or vomiting can appear 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Anyone experiencing these signs should get tested immediately and not ignore a persistent fever,” he said. He added that insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying are still highly effective preventive measures. “We can remove stagnant water, as even small puddles can become mosquito breeding grounds. Empty or cover containers, old tires, and plant pots. Clean blocked drains, fill low-lying areas, and keep grass and bushes trimmed to prevent water from collecting. Installing screens on windows and doors also helps protect both your family and neighbours from infection,” Dr. Niyongira stated. He added that applying mosquito repellents to exposed skin offers an extra layer of protection, noting that consistent use can help reduce the risk of malaria even as some mosquitoes develop resistance. Emmanuel Ntidendereza, a pharmacist at Sun Enterprise Ltd, a wholesale pharmacy in Kimironko, said people should use available mosquito repellents and keep their homes clean to prevent mosquito bites. He noted that several effective products are accessible in pharmacies and local shops, including Pico Spray, Doctor’s Gel, and the Cock Electric Liquid Machine, a plug-in device that releases vapor to repel mosquitoes. “Pico Spray can be applied on the body, while Doctor’s Gel is a topical cream that also protects against mosquito bites. These repellents are available off the shelf and don’t require a doctor’s prescription. However, I encourage people to buy from pharmacies, where products are authentic and regulated, unlike in ordinary shops where counterfeits may exist,” Ntidendereza said. According to him, Doctor’s Gel costs around Rwf 2,500, and Pico Spray between Rwf 7,000 and 8,500, depending on the pharmacy. He acknowledged that while the prices may be high for some people, many still purchase repellents, especially the Cock Electric Machine, for home use. Ntidendereza advised consuming food rich in a balanced diet to support the body’s ability to fight off parasites.

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How Rwanda is managing malaria surge amid rainy season