A worrying outbreak of elephantiasis, a debilitating parasitic disease, has been reported in Mashonaland West province, prompting urgent action from the government and health authorities. The disease, also known as lymphatic filariasis, is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
The outbreak was discovered after several pupils in rural Kariba showed signs of illness. Tests conducted on 21 pupils revealed that they were positive for the disease. Cases were reported at several primary schools in the area, with two cases each at Kalundu, Mola and Kauzhumba schools, and three cases each at Kasvisva, Msambakaruma, Kanyati, Negande and Kadziro.
“What worries us is that the disease affects several generations. The infection may have some lasting effects. It has affected many people along the Zambezi Valley, where we have some tributaries that provide good breeding sanctuaries for mosquitos,” said Kariba legislator Shine Gwangwava.
The discovery of the outbreak has prompted the Ministry of Health and Child Care to launch a 10-day mass drug administration campaign in the affected areas. The campaign, which will commence on Monday, will involve administering three drugs to prevent the spread of the disease.
“This exercise comes because of a research conducted in Kariba that found a high prevalence of lymphatic filariasis,” said George Kambondo, Mashonaland West provincial health promotion officer, urging affected communities to participate in the free mass drug administration exercise.
Chief Negande, born Kausu Mpofu, the traditional leader of the Kariba area, has also called on communities to cooperate with the vaccination programme.
“If the research was conducted and medical experts saw it fit to administer medication, the traditional leadership approves the move. We urge communities to accept the medication without resistance as it is good for our wellbeing,” he said.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to address the outbreak.
“There is need to conduct health education and community awareness campaigns on NTDs such as lymphatic filariasis which is a neglected tropical disease,” he said.
“There is need to make sure that community health workers are well equipped and well trained about NTDs as they are essential to deal with disease outbreaks and community response.”
Rusike also called for strengthened distribution of treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying programmes, measures that can help to control the spread of mosquitoes and prevent the disease.
“Communities should be cultured and disciplined from family level to practice individual and community health hygiene. There is a need for strengthening of community awareness, participation and self-reliance in fostering the culture of prevention and control of NTDs,” he added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the global threat posed by elephantiasis, stating that over 882 million people in 44 countries worldwide remain at risk.
“Lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated by stopping the spread of infection through preventive chemotherapy with safe medicine combinations repeated annually. More than nine billion cumulative treatments have been delivered to stop the spread of infection since 2000,” reads a statement by WHO on its website.
