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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
Zimbabwe has escalated the fight to eliminate bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) as a public health threat through collaboration with China for the implementation of targeted interventions that will improve the diagnosis, treatment and control of the disease.
The country was the first to be selected to be part of the China Africa Cooperation to eliminate Schistosomiasis.
To achieve this, the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) is receiving support from the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases in China in several areas aimed at eradicating the disease.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe-China Cooperation to eliminate schistosomiasis pilot project in Shamva on Monday, NIHR director Professor Nicholas Midzi said the proper implementation of Chinese strategies would make Zimbabwe the first country in the region to eliminate bilharzia.
“We are set to eliminate the disease once we start scaling up the programme with support from the Governments of Zimbabwe and China,” he said.
Prof Midzi said the pilot was expected to enable the country to assess the various tools that would be used for the control of vector snails that are responsible for the transmission of bilharzia.
The programme is also looking at the rapid diagnostic tests that can be used at village level by health facilities to improve surveillance of bilharzia at community level where the disease exists for better interventions.
“The collaboration will also result in the production of Chinese molluscicides that are used to control snails that are transmitting bilharzia at water contact points.
“The snails are collected, crushed and their DNA material is then analysed to find out if there is ongoing transmission. If there is transmission, we go and treat the water source to kill the snails so that people can continue to use the water without fear of the disease,” said Prof Midzi.
Controlling snails using molluscicides (pesticides) is an effective, quick and convenient intervention strategy to prevent the spread of the schistosoma species.
The strategy to use molluscicides to control intermediate host snails for eliminating bilharzia is in line with WHO recommendations.
Deputy Director China National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD) Dr Li Zhizhu said China had a lot of experience in fighting the disease and Zimbabwe would benefit from this knowledge to eliminate bilharzia.
China was able to eliminate schistosomiasis in a period of 70 years.
“This programme is supported by the government of China to improve the local people’s health and to improve the knowledge of schistosomiasis in the people and children in order to reduce schistosomiasis. This is a very significant programme between our countries which will improve the relationship between Zimbabwe and China governments,” he said.
Approximately 200 million people globally required bilharzia treatment in 2021 but only 75,3 million of these managed to get treated.
Of all bilharzia cases reported in the world, Africa carries 90 percent of the burden.
In Zimbabwe, a recent study by the NIHR showed that at least 35,6 percent of the total population in Zimbabwe was at risk of being infected with bilharzia and in need of mass drug administration.
Mashonaland Central medical director Dr Clement Chuma said the first national baseline survey conducted in 2010 had shown that Shamva had the highest prevalence of bilharzia in the country.
“Since then, we have had outbreaks in the province, not only in Shamva but in Mbire and Rushinga mainly affecting school clusters. Shamva District was selected for the implementation of the comprehensive schistosomiasis elimination strategies including treatment of affected people, provision of sanitation, safe water, health education and snail control because of the demonstrated huge burden in the district,” he said.
During the pilot study in Shamva, samples from 30 households were collected and tested. Those that tested positive have been identified and put on treatment.
Chief Bushu commended the move by the Government to bring the fight against bilharzia to his area.
“We are thankful for the programme to eliminate bilharzia. People here were not aware that they were living with the disease. Many are always in the water doing various chores from watering the gardens, fishing, doing laundry or mining activities. They are not aware that they are exposed to bilharzia, so this initiative is good as it will allow identification of the disease and offer treatment,” he said.
Online Reporter