By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba Municipality has intensified malaria prevention efforts by beginning the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as health authorities warn of a worsening malaria threat across Mashonaland West.
The initiative, rolled out in the resort town of Kariba, is aimed at reducing mosquito bites both indoors and outdoors one of the main routes through which malaria parasites spread to humans.
Officials say the move comes as new case figures show continued transmission pressure, particularly in hotspot areas around the province.
Mashonaland West provincial health authorities say Hurungwe District has recorded the highest number of new malaria cases, with its surge continuing to drive fears of further fatalities if prevention and early treatment are not strengthened.
In an updated provincial malaria situation report released recently, Hurungwe accounted for 25 of the 52 new malaria cases recorded within 24 hours, while it also recorded one of the three new deaths reported during the same period.
Health officials said the pattern indicates that communities in Hurungwe remain highly exposed to malaria transmission.
Across the province, Mashonaland West has recorded 14,730 cumulative malaria cases since the beginning of the year, alongside 56 deaths, translating into a reported case fatality rate of 0.38 percent.
While Hurungwe remains the main hotspot, other districts have also reported new cases. Makonde recorded 16 cases, followed by Sanyati with seven, and Zvimba with four.
Kariba, alongside Hurungwe, Makonde and Sanyati, continues to be placed under malaria control programmes due to ongoing transmission patterns.
By contrast, provincial reporting indicates that Mhondoro Ngezi, Chegutu, and Zvimba are operating under malaria elimination initiatives suggesting officials are applying different intervention approaches based on district transmission levels.
Health officials said the response will remain targeted, noting that although new cases have increased, overall incidence across Mashonaland West remains below one case per 1,000 people.
Officials stressed that this should guide continued focus on communities at greatest risk, rather than broad responses that may dilute resources.
To address the surge, district and provincial teams have rolled out a multi-pronged strategy that includes: intensified community awareness campaigns and village health education sessions,
deployment of mobile outreach teams to reach vulnerable settlements where access to prevention tools and early care is often limited, stepped up larviciding operations in hotspots to reduce mosquito breeding sites, continued prioritisation of insecticide treated nets, including completed mass distribution in selected Kariba wards, and a repeated public message urging residents to seek prompt treatment when symptoms appeak.
Authorities also urged residents especially during sleeping hours to use mosquito nets consistently and to treat malaria early to prevent severe illness and death.
“This is about protecting households before malaria spreads”
Officials at Kariba Municipality indicated that the net distribution forms part of a wider effort to safeguard communities during periods when mosquitoes are most active.
Kariba Municipality public relations officer, Mr Gabriel Mazivofa, said: ²“This campaign is not just about distributing nets we want households to actively protect themselves against malaria transmission.
Mosquito nets remain one of the strongest barriers we have, especially for children and pregnant women.”
Residents in Kariba have also expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying malaria remains a recurring challenge during the rainy seasons.
A number of community members who spoke to The Chronicle said they hope the campaign will reduce sickness and improve early treatment, noting that many households often wait too long before seeking medical help.
Kariba residents Association sporkes person Forward Mudengezera sasid “In some families, people delay going to the clinic because they think it will pass. We are encouraging everyone to take symptoms seriously and use the nets properly.”
Malaria remains a major public health threat worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates malaria kills 14 out of every 100 people infected with the parasite. Globally, 608,000 deaths were recorded in 2022, and last year’s figures were reported to be in a similar range.
Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley where Kariba is located has been identified as one of the hardest hit areas, reinforcing the urgency for sustained prevention and rapid treatment.
Health authorities said monitoring will continue closely, with interventions to be adjusted based on emerging hotspot data in the weeks ahead.
They appealed to residents to cooperate fully during net distribution, maintain clean surroundings around homes to limit mosquito breeding, and ensure prompt clinic visits whenever malaria-like symptoms are noticed.
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