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Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
PRELIMINARY findings of an investigation into the mysterious condition causing the death of villagers in Mola area of Nyaminyami District have shown that the now endemic condition is concentrated in Dhobe Village. Victims initially develop a bulging stomach, pale lips and whitish eyes pointing to loss of blood before they start vomiting blood leading to instant death.
Blood and other samples collected by a team dispatched by Government last week, to investigate the condition, have since been taken to the University of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba Research Station laboratory for analysis.

Sources say at least 60 percent of cases have been recorded in the village while the remainder are occurring in Chiweshe and Nabhole villages in Ward 3.

Kariba district medical officer Dr Godwin Muza said laboratory analysis of samples collected were still underway.
“Samples are still being analysed and we are still compiling reports after visiting the area,” he said.
Sources said several cases were observed during the investigation of people presenting the symptoms especially pale lips and whitish eyes.

“Investigations point to a high concentration of cases in Dhobe village where at least 60 percent of cases are occurring. Several people were found to have some of the symptoms during investigations,” said one of the sources.

The condition has reportedly been affecting people intermittently in the area for the past two years causing fear among villagers owing to lack of information on its cause.

Unconfirmed reports say several people had been treated of the condition in its initial stages at Kariba Hospital after being transferred from clinics such as Chalala and Siakobvu.

“There are people who have recovered after being treated when they presented symptoms consistent with the condition that has affected people in Mola,” said another source.

At least 50 people are suspected to have succumbed to the condition in the last two years.
A villager recently died at Chalala Clinic after vomiting blood adding to a growing list of casualties.

Villagers suspect that the condition could be as a result of consuming contaminated water from Siamuyalila River.
Health experts are looking at a set of possible causes of the condition including exposure to low levels of cyanide poisoning owing to artisanal mining activities in the river’s catchment.

“These have to be disproved or confirmed through findings of the investigation and laboratory tests currently underway,” said a health expert.

The protracted impact of the condition has attracted the ire of the community who feel it has not been handled with the urgency it deserves.