Malaria outbreak fears in Victoria Falls

VICTORIA FALLS

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THERE are fears of an outbreak of malaria in Victoria Falls as residents allege that a chemical used to spray mosquitoes in the town’s door to door Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programme was not effective.

The government carries out indoor residual spraying in conjunction with local authorities in malaria prone areas countrywide.

The programme started in October in the resort town and residents have, however, said they were not seeing results.

They alleged that their houses were now infested with more mosquitoes than the situation was like before the programme started.

A majority of houses were not sprayed as owners shut out ‘spray men’.

An organophosphate chemical-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is being used.

The chairperson of Victoria Falls Residents Association, Morgan Dube, confirmed receiving complaints over the programme.

He appealed to residents to be patient until the programme is completed.

“That has come to our attention but it is difficult to ascertain those claims now since the programme is still underway and many properties are yet to be covered. We have engaged council about the issue and what we have been told is that the chemical gets effective on contact with the insects,” he said.

The Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the local authority was aware of concerns raised by residents concerning malaria fears.

“We have heard people’s concerns that the chemical is not effective. In fact they say it’s not working at all. We are almost through with the programme and residents are saying that its as if no spraying was done as far as effectiveness is concerned,” said the Town Clerk.

He said the programme would be wrapped up soon as workmen were doing mop up exercises.

The mayor, Councillor Sifiso Mpofu, said it was important that people understand that the chemical does not work instantly and urged them to allow their houses to be sprayed.

“One thing people should understand is that the chemical doesn’t work instantly. There are a lot of mosquitoes and people will see results as time progresses. Our appeal is for people to allow us to carry out the exercise because those (houses) that remain will be breeding places for mosquitoes,” he said.

Quizzed about claims that council workers were stealing the chemical and replacing it with ineffective substances, Clr Mpofu dismissed the claims saying there was nothing they would use DDT for.

Some residents have even alleged that council workers were stealing the chemical and spraying with a weak mixture.

“We are sceptical about this whole programme. They sprayed my house but it is as if they were just inciting mosquitoes to sting us more,” said a resident who identified herself as Ivy Sibanda from Mkhosana suburb.

Another resident said the chemical was not showing any signs of being effective.

“What worries us is that we are instead having more mosquitoes. They are just burdening us with cleaning walls yet their chemical is not effective at all. It’s been two weeks now since they sprayed my house but there is not thing other than the dirty walls to show that they sprayed,” said a resident.

 

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