Malaria cases rise

Karen Mhlanga

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) said Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East recorded the highest number of malaria cases from October 17- 23.

In a statement, the Ministry said according to its Weekly Diseases Surveillance report, Zimbabwe recorded 1 650 malaria cases and four malaria deaths during that week.

“Mash East and Mash Central Provinces recorded the highest number of cases of 658 and 457 respectively.

“The deaths were from Murehwa District (2), Guruve District (1) and Harare (1).

“Of the reported cases, 210 (12,7 percent) were from the under 5-year-olds category.

Meanwhile, the 2022 cumulative cases for Malaria stand at 92 310 and 151 deaths,” the Ministry said.

Donald Mujiri, the MoHCC national protocol and public relations manager, said through the National Malaria Control Programme, they use the World Health Organisation recommended interventions to prevent, control and eliminate malaria in Zimbabwe.

The interventions include vector control strategies targeting the mosquito, by spraying inside homes.

The programme also uses case management whereby all suspected cases of malaria are tested and positive cases are treated with effective medicines.

Other interventions include giving pregnant women medicines to prevent malaria during pregnancy, as well as advocacy and community mobilisation to increase involvement and participation of communities and other stakeholders in malaria control initiatives.

Mujiri said people suspect that they may have malaria, they should do the following:

◆     Seek early testing and treatment within 24 hours of illness from your village health worker or nearest clinic.

◆ Complete the treatment course for complete cure and to avoid further transmission to others.

“The presence of at least one of the following signs and symptoms indicates severe malaria; very high fever, severe vomiting, severe body weakness (inability to walk or stand), yellow eyes (jaundice), anaemia (paleness of palms and eyes), confusion, multiple convulsions/fits, drowsiness or loss of consciousness and passing very little dark urine (coca-cola urine) or not passing urine at all,” said the Ministry.