admininterventions such as spraying, use of insecticides and treated mosquito nets among others.
However, Dr Mberikunashe was quick to point out that Zimbabwe was a receptive country in terms of malaria parasites, resulting in outbreaks experienced in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces.
“Zimbabwe generally is receptive to malaria transmission. In other words, it promotes the growth and reproduction capabilities of the anopheles mosquito.
“Because of sustained prevention measures that have been done by the countries over the years, some areas have been freed from that mosquito.
“This is why malaria is found in one area while a nearby area doesn’t have. Should the mosquitoes come back, transmission is possible,” Dr Mberikunashe said.
He said although the incidence had gone down, the country was still struggling to contain malaria in districts along the borders.
He said of the over 200 000 malaria cases recorded since the beginning of the year and from the outbreaks recorded in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces, 50 percent of these came from across the borders.
He said half of the people were from Mozambique whose closest health facility is a Zimbabwean institution and they could not be turned away.
He said this scenario gave rise to collaboration between countries involved to better respond to the disease.
Dr Mberikunashe said because of that, Zimbabwe would be launching a cross-border initiative next week in collaboration with the Zambian government.
This would help combat malaria in districts along the border areas of the country.
“This is just a step as we move towards collaboration in malaria control. If we are doing an intervention this side, we expect the other side to be doing the same. That way we can win as a bloc,” he said.
Malaria has so far claimed 111 lives since the beginning of the year and about 202 000 cases have been recorded.
Online Reporter