The ManicaPost
A NEW breed of mosquito — anopheles fenestus — suspected to have originated from Mozambique and is resistant to local drugs has hit and spread across Manicaland resulting in unprecedented cases of malaria prevalence, transmission and mortality.
Different control measures like the use of insecticide-treated nets and chemotherapy and mosquito repellents, malaria eradication have proved fruitless in Manicaland — with the province being notorious of being the “biggest contributor” of malaria burden in the country.
Sources said 6 800 cases are reported weekly, presenting Government with a mammoth task to meet Millennium Development Goals regarding its health delivery system.
The death toll was not readily available.
Most of the malaria deaths are among children under five years of age, who together with pregnant women, are most at risk.
Incidences of malaria peak during the months of March and April in the province.
Districts of Nyanga, Mutasa, Chimanimani, Makoni, Mutare and Chipinge that are closer to Mozambique are the worst affected.
National Malaria Control manager, Dr Joseph Mberikunashe, on Wednesday said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was on the verge of reintroducing the banned dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) to fight the new breed of mosquito.
All along the Zimbabwe’s National Malaria Control Programme has been calling for the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying as part of its malaria-prevention campaign.
DDT has been banned or restricted in many countries for decades, after scientists proved that it could cause reduced fertility, genital birth defects, cancer, diabetes, damage to developing brains. DDT also has a negative impact on the environment and agriculture.
DDT will be reintroduced in Indoor Residual Spraying for malaria control.
“Manicaland is at the peak period of transmission. We have distributed the nets and did some spraying in line with our theme of Zero Malaria Cases, but that has not helped. The outbreak is on an upward spiral. Manicaland is actually the biggest contributor to the national malaria burden,” said Dr Mberikunashe.
“We have done clinical investigations that have revealed that Manicaland has been invaded by a new breed of mosquito, the anopheles fenestus, which originates from Mozambique and is resistant to the chemical we are using,” revealed Dr Mberikunashe.
Manicaland shares a stretch of about 1 000km border with Mozambique, thereby sharing the highest volume of people movement people and malaria with it.
Dr Mberikunashe said they were working closely with their Mozambican counterparts to control the situation.
“This mosquito can only be killed using DDT. That is the only chemical effective in eradicating them. These mosquitoes are multiplying fast, we are worried, and we have to change the chemical. We are moving in to assist the situation with DDT,” said Dr Mberikunashe.
The procurement of DTT won’t be problematic since in 2001, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds allowed for its continued use for disease vector control following World Health Organisation guidelines.
WHO actively promotes the use of IRS with DDT while most SADC member States have been using DDT since 2006 following the SADC Health Ministers decision for the universal use of IRS with DDT as a primary preventive strategy to address malaria in the region.
Delays in the disbursement of mosquito nets in Manicaland also contributed to the upsurge in the incidences of malaria.
Investigations by The Manica Post at referral hospitals in the province revealed that Artemesinin-based Combination Therapy which treats the disease was in short supply.
Patients are being told to make their own purchases. This has had a serious effect on the poor.
Dr Mberikunashe said such developments were shocking.
“What is shocking is that we have more than enough stocks here. The pharmacy managers are not pro-active. You cannot place an order when such critical medicine has run out at these hospitals. That attitude of doing things at the last minute is bad. They must practise what they were taught about stock management. They must order on time.
We have instructed Manicaland to come and collect the required medicine. It is saddening.”
Dr Mberikunashe also urged mining and plantations companies in Manicaland to chip-in and assist his ministry saying their operations also encourage the breeding of mosquitoes.
