Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
VILLAGERS, who are dying in Mola, Nyaminyami District after vomiting blood, could be suffering from liver complications related to untreated bilharzia or repeated malarial infection, preliminary findings have shown.

The Mashonaland West provincial Epidemic Preparedness Response team established that at least 18 people had died of the condition from around 2009.

Most of the 27 villagers examined during the survey were found to be clinically anaemic, stunted and with moderate to massive splenomegaly which is the bulging tummy.

Read part of the report: “A review of the clinical notes of one of the deceased clients who had managed to undergo comprehensive investigations including CT scan and Ultra Sound Scan of Abdomen, and Upper Gastrointestinal tract Endoscopy revealed a diagnosis of the liver, with massive splenomegaly, portal hypertension and Grade 3 Oesophageal varices, which is highly suggestive of Schistosomal Liver disease.

“Further review of the Histopathology results of women from Mola area who had undergone routine VIAC screening for cancer of the cervix revealed Schistosomiasis of the cervix in 4 of them.”

Late stages of the disease require specialist management owing to multiple organ complications including oesophageal varices which need endoscopic banding, massive upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding needs resuscitation.

The study also showed that schistosomiasis, an acute and chronic tropical disease which is caused by parasitic worms normally carried by snails, was also affecting women.

People are usually infected during agricultural, domestic, occupational, and recreational activities where they are in contact with infested water.

Some of the causes include lack of hygiene and swimming or fishing in waters carrying the parasite, especially among children.

Mola which is found in Ward 3 has a population of about 6 412 people and falls under Geographical Region 5 exposing them to perennial food insecurity.

They rely heavily on food assistance from Government and non-governmental organisation while SMART survey carried out in January 2019 showed that villagers had a minimum acceptable diet score of 1,6 percent.

The team also established that the villagers who were vomiting large amounts of blood before collapsing and dying were found in Dobe (3 deaths), Nabole (10) and Chiweshe (2) villages.

It was established that those affected were between the ages of 18 and 45 years with the majority of them being men (11) while there were seven women who died.

At least three other deaths occurred at Kariba Hospital, Mola clinic and Mutendere Mission Hospital in Chirundu, Zambia. Studies also showed that at least 42 people aged between 19 and 50 years were said to have had at least one episode of haematemesis, which is the vomiting of blood.

However, the majority of those affected never sought treatment at a health facility while demand for agricultural land and housing was high after villagers in Nabole and Dobe villages had migrated from Chiweshe village.

Stool, blood and urine sample results showed mild to moderate anaemia and moderate to severely low blood platelets which help in clotting while Schistosoma mansoni was isolated in stool.

Water samples collected showed snails. The team noted poor health seeking behaviour tied to cultural beliefs and myths where villagers attributed their conditions to being bewitched.

It also noted lack of knowledge on schistosomiasis among the villagers, poor diet and access to water and sanitation.

They recommended administering of Praziquantel to community members and availing of specialist services (Abdominal Ultrasonography, CT scan, Upper GIT Endoscopy, Haematology) to fully evaluate the cases.

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