Govt steps up war on bilharzia

districts in the country have a high prevalence of bilharzia and intestinal worms.
This is according to a survey conducted between 2010 and 2011 that was carried out by the ministry together with other stakeholders, which revealed that bilharzia was resurfacing mainly in rural areas and a few urban areas.
“The ministry will start training medical personnel within the next few days to prepare them for the exercise,” Dr Manangazira said.
Areas with communities that are affected by bilharzia include Chikomba district, Shamva, Hwedza, Chiredzi, and Shurugwi among others.
Mashonaland East province is the most affected with a 53 percent prevalence rate.
“WHO has since chipped in by procuring the de-worming medication and intestinal worms tablets and the ministry looks forward to embark on a full-scale de-worming programme next month,” Dr Manangazira said.
She said the treatment was targeted at children aged between five and 15 years as well as the elderly since they were the most affected by the disease.
Bilharzia is a water-borne disease which is prevalent in areas where villagers draw water from unprotected sources such as rivers and dams.
Parasite larvae develop in snails, their definitive host, in which they mature and reproduce.
The parasites can penetrate the skin of persons who are wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated water. Within several weeks, worms grow inside the blood vessels of the body and produce eggs. Some of these eggs travel to the bladder or intestines and are passed into the urine or stool.
Although it has a low mortality rate, bilharzia can damage internal organs in children, impair growth and prevent development.