Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
IN a proactive bid to prevent a bed bug outbreak — City of Mutare — has launched an emergency fumigation programme, targeting Bako Flea Market and surrounding residential properties being used as informal warehouses.
With the swift action, Mutare City Council seeks to stay ahead of the threat, following a similar infestation in Mbare in Harare.
The programme commenced on Wednesday in Sakubva, with health officials focusing on flea market stalls and homes in areas including Avenues, Mazhambe, Tenderere, Chineta, Chitungo and NHB.
The homes in question, many of which serve as makeshift storage facilities for second-hand clothing bales, are deemed potential breeding grounds for bed bugs.
The City of Mutare’s Health Department said the fumigation exercise is part of routine spraying, which has been intensified as a precautionary measure following confirmed bed bug outbreaks in other parts of the country. In a statement released over the weekend, Mutare City Council clarified:
“We are conducting awareness campaigns and fumigation of potential bed bug breeding areas. Please note that there are no confirmed cases of bed bugs at Bako Flea Market. Our efforts are a preventive public health exercise aimed at safeguarding our residents.”
As part of this initiative, the council health officials are also educating vendors and homeowners on the transmission and prevention of bed bugs.
According to the awareness materials distributed, bed bugs are not transmitted person-to-person like lice, but rather spread through hitchhiking on clothing, furniture, luggage, and second-hand items.
This makes areas with high volumes of movement and storage of used goods particularly susceptible to infestations.
In Sakubva, Bako Flea Market is the hub of second-hand clothing trading, with thousands of sacks of clothes passing through it weekly.
To reduce costs, many vendors store their goods in nearby residential homes, which have been converted into informal “warehouses” with spare rooms and yards.
Homeowners charge US$2 per sack per week for storage, resulting in congestion that increases the risk of infestations.
Chairperson of Bako Flea Market, Mr Brilliant Mpofu said there are currently no bed bugs at the market, but welcomed the preventative measures being taken.
“We want to make it clear that there are no bed bugs here. The city is conducting awareness campaigns and fumigating potential areas, including our warehouses and market stalls. We appreciate their proactive and precautionary measures. We ensured that the fumigation teams had unrestricted access to facilitate the process without disrupting our business,” he said.
Mutare Informal Traders Association coordinator, Mr Pearson Muchido said this was not the city’s first fumigation exercise in the area, and hailed the city’s proactive approach.
“As part of their regular service delivery, they have consistently assisted us in preventing bed bug infestations. Thanks to these measures, we have never experienced any outbreaks. If bed bugs infest the market, we will be forced to close, leaving many families without income. We commend the city council for staying ahead of the problem,” he said.
Mr Tinashe Chiri, a resident of Tenderere and an informal warehouse owner, acknowledged the risks of bed bug infestations.
“We store numerous bales in our homes, putting us at risk. As warehouse owners, we also reside in these houses, making this our livelihood. We appreciate the city council’s proactive approach, addressing the issue before it spirals out of control like in Harare. We are also grateful that the council is providing this service free of charge,” he said.
Mrs Juliet Razaro, of Mazhambe, who stores second-hand clothing for vendors, shared similar sentiments.
“We fear bed bug infestations, and it is reassuring to see the council spreading awareness and taking swift action. We have witnessed how challenging it is to eradicate bed bugs once they have taken hold. Prevention is key,” she said.
Ms Beatrice Chaperuka, another warehouse owner, said despite their best efforts, the threat of bed bugs remains.
“We have maintained cleanliness and good sanitation, and fortunately, we have had no infestations so far. However, the council’s support is welcome, providing us with peace of mind,” she said.
Vendors at Bako Flea Market applauded the local authority’s proactive approach to prevent bed bug infestations.
On Wednesday, vendors agreed to a half-day trading suspension to allow fumigation teams to access all areas of the market.
Mr Munyaradzi Kwanai, a second-hand shoe vendor, said the adage “prevention is better than cure” could not be more relevant.
“If bed bugs infest the market business will suffer. We are grateful that the council is acting promptly. It is a positive move for both vendors and customers,” she said.
The city has also urged residents to look out for signs of infestation, such as itchy bites in lines or clusters, rust-coloured stains on bedding, presence of shed skins, and dark faecal spots.
The health department recommended soaking second-hand clothes in boiling water for at least 30 minutes before wearing, drying and ironing them thoroughly, reducing clutter in homes, and covering mattresses.
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