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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Government has dispatched 10 teams of health professionals to Chiredzi and other malaria-prone areas, as it rolls out the malaria control programme ahead of the rainy season. Masvingo provincial medical director Dr Amadeaus Shamu said the provincial teams would work with officials in the district.

“We started the spraying of mosquitoes in Chiredzi last week. We are starting in Chiredzi because it is a red zone in terms of malaria attacks. While I do not have statistics now, the district is prone to the disease because it is infested by mosquito,” he said.

Dr Shamu urged people visiting Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Chivi districts, as well as some parts of Masvingo to carry anti-malaria kits, including mosquito repellent jells, nets and clothes that cover their bodies. Between January and May this year, Chiredzi South’s Malipati area accounted for 33 malaria deaths due to heavy rains that pounded the district, leading to an influx of mosquitoes in the area.

“Chiredzi always tops in cases of malaria in the province,” said Dr Shamu.
“We, however, have a provincial approach, hence the team we have sent to these areas would complement the district teams. After Chiredzi, the teams will move to the Nyahombe area, which borders Chivi, Mwenezi and Masvingo districts. Apart from that area, Masvingo is not considered a malaria red zone. Other districts to be covered include Mwenezi, Zaka, Bikita, Gutu and Chivi.” Dr Shamu emphasised the need for personal protection.

“People should sleep under mosquito nets. When one suspects that he or she has malaria, they should seek treatment,” he said. Symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to four weeks following infection. These include vomiting, loss of appetite, shaking chills, high fever, profuse sweating, nausea and headache. Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted through the bite of anopheles mosquito.