Status of malaria and its implications for elimination in an endemic province of South Africa: retrospective analysis

South Africa set a target to eliminate malaria by 2018. Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN) province was earmarked to reach the elimination goal first. However, recent evidence suggests that the province has not yet achieved the elimination goal. This study set out to assess the status of malaria in KZN province of South Africa and its implications for elimination. Using retrospective analysis, the study quantified and described 5 787 cases of malaria for the years 2010-2019 in KZN province of South Africa. Data on reported malaria cases were obtained from the Malaria Information System of the KZN Provincial Department of Health. More than 65% of the cases came from male patients aged 16 years and above. A high number of cases were reported in the years 2014, 2017 and 2018. More than 40% of the cases were imported from countries outside of South Africa. The study confirms an increase in malaria cases, especially during the elimination year. The imported malaria cases and other related factors pose a threat to achieving the elimination goal. The KZN province needs to strengthen elimination efforts, including strategies to prevent imported malaria cases to achieve the new elimination goal.