Gwanda (New Ziana) – At least eight people have died of malaria in Gwanda rural and Beitbridge, with health authorities saying they had lately noted an upsurge in the disease in most parts of Matabeleland South Province.
This comes when the country as a whole is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic which has thrown health sectors worldwide into a crisis.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Matabeleland South province has recorded an all-time high of 896 malaria cases so far.
“Gwanda South and Beitbridge are malaria prone areas. These are not COVID-19 cases as alleged by many,” the Ministry said in a statement.
“The cases increased soon after the recent rains, leaving Beitbridge district with 819 cases followed by Gwanda with 60, uMzingwane, Matobo 6, Insiza 2, Mangwe 1 while Bulilima has recorded zero cases,” it said.
“Mitigatory measures taken so far include distribution of 92 000 nets in Gwanda, 82 200 in Beitbridge and this is still ongoing.”
On Wednesday, Gungwe village in ward 12 under Chief Ketso Mathe area recorded a malaria death, making a total of four reported casualties within Gwanda district, while Beitbridge district has also recorded a total of four deaths.
Gungwe village joins other villages from Gwanda south that recorded some cases last week. These are Manama- 6, Nhwali- 11, Sengezane- 5, West Nicholson- 4, Selonga – 5, Kafusi – 5, Gungwe – 5, Ntalale – 3, Collen Bawn – 1 and Buvuma – 11.
Matabeleland South provincial medical director, Rudo Chikodzere said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was doing all it could to curb the spread of malaria despite insufficient resources.
“Matabeleland South Province, particularly Beitbridge district and Gwanda districts, are experiencing an outbreak of malaria,” she said.
“More treated mosquito nets are being mobilized for distribution to those who were missed in the mass distributions done last year. We are mapping mosquito breeding sites so that we treat them with chemicals.
“For those breeding sites that are manageable, we are encouraging the communities to drain. Communities are encouraged to also use personal protection such as mosquito repellant,” said Chikodzere.
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