Madagascar - Malaria outbreak in Ikongo District

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ENDEMIC DISEASE - Malaria out of control in Ikongo

Miangaly Ralitera - Published on May 27, 2025

The Ikongo district is facing an alarming resurgence of malaria. This endemic disease is taking on dramatic proportions in this landlocked region.

A worrying resurgence. Authorities in Ikongo are sounding the alarm, particularly in the commune of Ambatofotsy, where the spread of malaria has been accelerating since April. "The situation is out of control," they say unanimously. Cases of infection continue to rise, despite the efforts of health professionals, who travel the fokontany to identify and treat patients.

Jean Bosco Telolahy, head of the fokontany of Mahasoa - the worst-affected village in the commune of Ambatofotsy - reports tragic human losses.

"Today (editor's note: Tuesday, May 27), a 20-year-old woman died. A child died last night, and another yesterday. They all had the same symptoms. Once they die, their skin turns yellow," he said. He estimates that around twenty people with malaria symptoms died in his fokontany during the month of May.

The mayor of the commune, Jean Ravelonjatovo, also underlines the gravity of the situation: "Out of 200 people who took the screening test, only 40 tested negative. What is even more alarming is that some infected people suddenly lose consciousness and collapse, before experiencing episodes of diarrhea," he says.

Traditional practitioners

At a press conference on Monday, Public Health Minister Professor Zely Randriamanantany announced around twenty deaths in Ikongo, without confirming that they were due to malaria. He specified that most were community deaths: the victims had not attended health centers, preferring to turn to traditional practitioners. According to him, this traditional medicine contributes to the rising mortality rate. However, he indicated that medical teams have been on the ground for two weeks to monitor the situation. Since then, no new deaths have been reported. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets have also been distributed.

Local authorities welcome the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health—namely, the distribution of mosquito nets, the supply of medicines and screening tests, and the deployment of mobile health teams—but consider these interventions insufficient. They call for a continued presence of health professionals and a massive distribution of mosquito nets. “Health workers intervened in our fokontany and treated the sick free of charge. But as soon as they travel to other localities, the number of cases starts to rise again. In addition, around 100 mosquito nets were distributed, which is insufficient. Some homes have as many as three or four beds,” insists Jean Bosco Telolahy.

Miangaly Ralitera

https://www.lexpress.mg/2025/05/maladie-endemique-le-paludisme-hors-de.html

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May 31, 2025

Ikongo District: Twenty deaths from malaria

The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that the cases of a mysterious illness reported in recent months in Ikongo district were caused by malaria. This announcement follows epidemiological investigations conducted on the ground after the reports of around 20 deaths.

The Ikongo district, located in southeastern Madagascar, has faced a resurgence of malaria cases, particularly in the rural commune of Ambatofotsy since February. Around twenty deaths have been recorded there. This situation led the Ministry of Public Health to launch a thorough epidemiological investigation. The results confirmed the active presence of malaria in the Ikongo district, particularly in this commune of Ambatofotsy. The Regional Director of Public Health (DRS) Fitovinany, Dr. Jacques Randriamiadana, pointed out that some victims were unable to reach a health center before their deaths.

Local care

Concrete actions have been implemented in response to this health emergency. Community awareness campaigns have been organized in the fokontany of the Ikongo and Vohipeno districts, involving local leaders to inform the population about malaria symptoms and preventive measures. A "community care" strategy has been deployed, particularly in the fokontany of Mahasoa, allowing medical teams to go directly to villages to diagnose and treat patients. Free treatments are being administered, and medical supplies, including rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), have been distributed to local health centers. It is important to note that malaria is endemic in the Ikongo district, with active transmission throughout the year.

Narindra Rakotobe

https://midi-madagasikara.mg/une-vingtaine-de-morts-du-paludisme/

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June 25, 2025

Ikongo: “Nearly 80 deaths from malaria”

Dinah Hajaniriana, the elected representative for Ifanadiana, is sounding the alarm regarding the health situation prevailing in Ikongo. He is making an urgent appeal to the state and calling for the governor's dismissal.

The health situation in Ikongo is becoming increasingly alarming. Malaria continues to wreak havoc, and according to local reports, nearly 80 people have already lost their lives in this landlocked commune in the Fitovinany region. Witness accounts have confirmed these figures. Faced with this humanitarian tragedy, reactions are multiplying. The MP elected in Ifanadiana, Dinah Hajaniriana, is speaking out and making an urgent appeal to the national authorities. "  What is happening in Ikongo is a national disgrace. As a member of parliament from Madagascar, I cannot remain silent. I call on the government, particularly the Ministry of Public Health, to take responsibility for this tragedy. There is tangible evidence confirming deaths caused by malaria. We can no longer trivialize this scourge ," declared the parliamentarian, visibly outraged.

Resignation

Beyond this appeal, the MP formally requested that the governor of the Fitovinany region, Physician General Lucien Razafitsotra, step down from his duties. Razafitsotra had dismissed reports of a high death toll as "  rumors  ," even going so far as to claim that some images circulated on the subject were "photoshopped." According to Razafitsotra, the number of victims recorded was small. In the majority of cases, those affected did not seek medical care in time, or opted for self-medication. This statement deeply shocked MP Dinah Hajaniriana. " This is an insult to the people of Ikongo. We cannot minimize the suffering of bereaved families in this way. A single life lost should be enough to trigger an emergency. This contempt is unacceptable ," he insisted.

Strong measures

Faced with this situation, the elected official is once again calling on the authorities. "  The government must tackle this public health problem head-on and immediately implement strong measures to contain the epidemic, and above all, prevent it from spreading to other districts  ." The distress is real in Ikongo. Expectations are clear. It remains to be seen whether the call will be heard. In any case, the MP will be in Ifanadiana today to collect further data on the situation in this other district of Tanala country. Indeed, Dinah Hajaniriana's fear is entirely legitimate. Real threats threaten the population of Ifanadiana, and at the rate things are going, the worst is likely to happen.

Julien R

https://midi-madagasikara.mg/ikongo-pres-de-80-morts-du-paludisme/

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Malaria outbreak in Ikongo: Doctors Without Borders at the bedside of the victims

Written by Adnews on June 27, 2025

Communities and health facilities in Ikongo district are currently facing a malaria outbreak. According to a statement from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) yesterday, "since mid-May, MSF has been supporting health authorities in an emergency response to slow the spread of the disease and increase access to care."

According to MSF, the intervention was launched following several community alerts. And from the first day, a joint survey conducted with the Ministry of Public Health helped identify priority areas and assess response capacities on the ground.

"In thirty-five days of activities, the teams conducted 5,141 consultations through mobile clinics deployed in the most affected areas. Of the 4,361 people tested, more than 3,567 positive cases were diagnosed, confirming the seriousness of the situation," MSF said, representing 82% of the cases consulted.

Currently, five mobile teams, composed of MSF and Ministry of Health staff, are deployed in several communes of the district, particularly in Ambatofotsy, then in the North and South.

In addition to providing curative care in isolated areas, MSF also supports basic health centers (CSB) in case management. In coordination with health authorities, the teams are ensuring the referral of patients requiring hospital care, while supplying mobile clinics with essential medical supplies, in a context of persistent stock pressure.

Prevention actions are also being prepared to strengthen the protection of the most vulnerable populations. The targeted distribution of impregnated mosquito nets to patients who have tested positive for malaria (RDT+) aged under 15, as well as to pregnant and breastfeeding women, is also planned during consultations.

Will be R.

https://newsmada.com/2025/06/27/flambee-du-paludisme-dans-likongo-medecins-sans-frontieres-au-chevet-des-victimes/

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PUBLIC HEALTH – Authorities acknowledge multiple malaria deaths spanning several weeks in Ikongo

By 2424.mg News & Reports June 28, 2025 in Featured , News , Economy

Antananarivo, June 28, 9:25 a.m. – Excess mortality due to malaria. The government has confirmed a wave of malaria deaths in the Ikongo district, which has lasted several weeks. The Minister of Public Health, Professor Zely Randriamanantany, admitted that “many people have died” in several communes of the district, citing a critical health situation fueled by structural factors and risky behaviors.

Insisting on the need to publish only official figures, the authorities do not, however, provide precise statistics on the number of deaths. “Some are registered, others are not,” the minister emphasized in an intervention on the public television channel. He mentioned the screening of 1,356 positive cases and spoke of an abnormal increase in cases detected by electronic surveillance towards the end of April, prompting the authorities to intervene urgently. However, these interventions were slow to produce positive responses. “It is not normal that after six weeks of response, deaths are still being reported,” emphasizes Professor Zely Randriamanantany.

In a statement released Wednesday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a total of "5,141 consultations through mobile clinics deployed in the most affected areas" over 35 days of intervention. According to MSF, "out of 4,361 people tested, more than 3,567 positive cases were diagnosed, confirming the severity of the outbreak."

The NGO also does not provide a death toll, but Jean Paul Rakotonirina, former mayor of Maromiandra, reports dozens of deaths from this tropical disease, particularly in the municipalities of Maromiandra and Antanifotsy. In these two municipalities, “we have counted three, four, or even five deaths in some villages,” confides the former mayor, who reports that “deaths occur at least every two days.” He describes a situation that has become “horrible” and could become “uncontrollable” if the authorities do not take urgent measures.

In his speech, Professor Zely Randriamanantany assures that "it's not that the State has done nothing, it's because extra-medical factors are hindering interventions." "Some people continue to sleep in rice fields, outside mosquito nets. Others stop their treatment as soon as they feel better or prefer injections to tablets," he says.

The government assures that medications are available and that technical resources have been deployed. "We responded as soon as the first alerts were received; we didn't wait. But the population must also adopt appropriate behaviors," the minister concluded.

https://2424.mg/sante-publique-les-autorites-reconnaissent-de-nombreux-deces-setendant-sur-plusieurs-semaines-lies-au-paludisme-a-ikongo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sante-publique-les-autorites-reconnaissent-de-nombreux-deces-setendant-sur-plusieurs-semaines-lies-au-paludisme-a-ikongo

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FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA - A special medical mission to Ikongo's bedside

Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson and Miangaly Ralitera
-Published on July 4, 2025

A special medical mission: this is what will be deployed in Ikongo, in response to the resurgence of malaria in this district. The relevant instructions were given verbally to the Minister of Public Health by Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic, yesterday.

"Malaria is rampant in Ikongo. We must therefore mobilize doctors in the region, including those from Antananarivo, and send a special mission there to combat this disease," declared the Head of State in conclusion of his speech at the inauguration of the Manarapenitra Hospital in Ambohimahasoa yesterday.

"Doctors will be deployed to help our compatriots. They are Malagasy citizens, just like us. We will do everything we can to treat them and defeat this disease," he added.

Since June, a malaria epidemic has been taking hold in several localities in the Ikongo district. Sony, mayor of the commune of Maromiandra, described the situation as "catastrophic," when contacted by telephone. Local elected officials have confirmed deaths. The mayor of Maromiandra has reported several deaths in fokontany in his commune since June 30. According to local sources, the communes of Ambatofotsy and Maromiandra have been hardest hit by the epidemic taking hold in Ikongo.

Food problems would also complicate the situation.

"The unbalanced, even insufficient, diet of some families weakens their immune systems and makes them more vulnerable to malaria," explains a medical source on the ground.

Distribution of CVO+
As the mayor of Maromiandra explains: "At the beginning of this disaster, about a month ago, the lack of free healthcare at the community level forced the sick to sell rice to obtain treatment. It cost at least 40,000 ariary per person, and in a family, several members could be sick. After a while, the sick would relapse. With no more money, they treated themselves with medicinal plants, but their health did not improve. They are weakened because they do not have enough to eat, their rice reserves are exhausted."

Faced with this situation, the government intends to regain control of the health situation in the Ikongo district. President Rajoelina also proposes that CVO+, produced by the pharmaceutical factory Pharmalagasy, be used to combat malaria in this district of the Fitovinany region. Medical publications agree that artemisinin, an organic molecule extracted from the Artemisia annua plant, constitutes the basis of the most effective anti-malarial treatments.

"In Fianarantsoa, we have Artemisia plantations. We also have a pharmaceutical factory that produces capsules. Therefore, CVO+ capsules should be distributed free of charge to patients," recommends the tenant of Iavoloha.

Pending the deployment of the special medical mission requested by the President of the Republic, teams from the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) have already been present in Ikongo since the beginning of the week.

"According to the decrees, as soon as a situation is classified as a disaster, the BNGRC intervenes. Then, according to the principle of subsidiarity, when an event occurs, local capacities are overwhelmed and coordination is required, the BNGRC steps in. Furthermore, government directives have been issued to organize this coordination," noted its director general, General Elack Olivier Andriakaja, justifying the intervention of this national agency in the fight against the spread of malaria in Ikongo.

Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson and Miangaly Ralitera

https://www.lexpress.mg/2025/07/lutte-contre-le-paludisme-une-mission.html

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IKONGO - Malaria causes one hundred and eighteen deaths

Mialisoa Ida
-Published on July 13, 2025

Malaria cases are on the rise in Ikongo district, Fitovinany region. On Friday, Dr. Manuela Christophere Vololoniaina, director of epidemiological surveillance at the Ministry of Public Health, announced that 118 deaths had been recorded in the area. These are the first official statistics on deaths from the disease in Ikongo district.

These figures were presented in a video broadcast by the public television channel, illustrating the main developments in the situation over the past few months. The slideshow shown during Dr. Vololoniaina's speech indicated that malaria now accounts for 10% of the causes of mortality in the district.

The number of cases increased by 29% compared to 2024.

"Five municipalities are affected by this situation, but it is in the municipality of Ambatofotsy that the highest number of cases have been recorded," the official said.

Several causes

Furthermore, the relocated Council of Ministers on Thursday, July 10, reported thirty-five deaths due to malaria in Ambatofotsy since the beginning of the year.

"The ministry neither ignored the situation nor turned a blind eye, but it was first necessary to conduct field investigations to assess the reality," explained Dr. Manuela Christophere Vololoniaina.

In her presentation, the official highlighted several causes of mortality: refusal of care, non-compliance with prescribed treatments, and the preference given to tambavy - traditional herbal teas commonly used locally.

The Council of Ministers also expressed concern about persistent rumors circulating in Ikongo. These rumors suggest that the antimalarial drug Artefan is poisoned, leading some patients to discontinue treatment prematurely.

To stem the spread of the disease, the region's Public Health Emergency Operations Center was immediately mobilized, while an operational coordination center, under the direction of the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), was set up on site.

Mialisoa Ida

https://www.lexpress.mg/2025/07/ikongo-le-paludisme-cause-cent-dix-huit.html