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GOVERNMENT says those found abusing mosquito nets will be arrested.
In malaria prone areas such as Binga some villagers reportedly use the nets for fishing.
“We are aware that some people take these nets and go use them to catch fish in rivers and dams. We warn the public that this is illegal and whoever will be seen doing so will be arrested,” said Ministry of Health National Malaria programmes director Dr Joseph Mberikunashe.
His statement comes at a time when government has started the spraying of malaria prone zones and distribution of mosquito nets to hotspots across the country.
Two malaria related deaths have been recorded so far in the country in Matabeleland North, at the commencement of the malaria season late last month.
Dr Mberikunashe said the spraying of malaria prone zones had commenced well.
“We are currently rolling out the distribution of nets to malaria areas across the country and we expect the process to be completed this week,” said Dr Mberi.
“We started spraying on the first of October. We hope to be finished by the time the rainfall season starts,” he added.
He also urged the public to welcome teams from the Ministry of Health that will be going to spray homes.
“Support teams will be coming to spray homes and we urge the public to welcome these people to their homes as they will be offering a service that will help fight the increase of malaria cases,” he said.
He urged people who received mosquito nets to desist from using them for fishing.
During the week ending 26 September this year, the Ministry of Health and Child Care recorded 1109 malaria cases.
Last year, malaria deaths spiked due to heavy rains with 151 people dead by March 2018.
According to the World Malaria Report 2016, the rate of new malaria cases fell by 21 percent globally between 2010 and 2015.
derick.khumalo