BCC dispels bedbug outbreak fears, confirms 2 cases

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has moved to allay public fears of a bedbug outbreak in the city, clarifying that investigations have confirmed infestations in only two households.

Responding to social media reports suggesting a widespread outbreak — particularly in Nkulumane — BCC’s Corporate Communications Officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, stated that the confirmed cases were isolated incidents in Mpopoma and Njube.

“There is no bedbug outbreak in Nkulumane as reported on social media. Our investigations have so far identified only two affected households, in Mpopoma and Njube. The other reports turned out to be false rumours,” said Mrs Mpofu.

She said that BCC had conducted investigations in Nketa, Nkulumane, Njube, and Mpopoma.

“We inspected the areas reported to be affected. We then engaged the occupants and informed them that fumigation services were available, along with the associated fee. One of the households managed to pay and had their home fumigated by the city, while the other opted for a private service provider,” said Mrs Mpofu.

She urged residents to remain calm and to rely on official communication channels for accurate information. Mrs Mpofu said that, through media reports, the council had been able to trace affected homes in Mpopoma.

“We are still assessing the extent of the infestation, and it is fair to conclude that it is not severe, as only minor traces of bedbugs have been found. At present, there is no public nuisance caused by bedbugs,” she said.

However, residents have expressed concern over the US$47 fumigation fee per household, saying the cost is unaffordable for many.

When the Chronicle news crew visited Ms Siphiwe Moyo — who had raised the alarm over bedbugs in her home at Block 46 in Mpopoma — she confirmed that a council team had visited her residence while she was away attending a funeral.

“When I got home, I found my mattress turned over in the bedroom. My son told me that council officials had come to inspect the house, but they didn’t spray. They just left,” she said.

In a previous interview, she had shared that many residents are reluctant to report infestations due to embarrassment, despite the seriousness of the situation.

Residents fear the infestation could spread and have urged the council to fumigate the entire neighbourhood.

What began in Harare has now extended its itchy grip to Bulawayo. The bedbug problem first emerged in Mbare flats earlier this year before spreading to other suburbs, including Mabvuku, Kuwadzana, and Budiriro. Experts now warn that if left unchecked, the outbreak in Mpopoma could escalate across the city.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in collaboration with local councils and pest control companies, has launched fumigation campaigns across schools and hospitals nationwide, with mixed results.

Warmer temperatures exacerbate the problem, although residents may experience temporary relief during the colder winter months. Heat accelerates the bedbug breeding cycle, and Zimbabwe’s dry season provides ideal conditions for them to multiply and invade new households.

Bedbugs are a global menace. Paris was in panic during the 2023 Fashion Week, with hotels and trains reportedly infested. Major cities such as New York, Chicago, London, Johannesburg, Mumbai, and Sydney have all reported significant outbreaks in homes, cinemas, hospitals, and public transport systems.

Health experts are calling for a national emergency response, warning that bedbugs are more than a mere nuisance. They cause mental stress, insomnia, and long-term skin conditions. More alarmingly, their presence highlights broader issues in urban sanitation.