Over 500 die from malaria

A total of 515 malaria-related deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the year, with 20 deaths  being recorded just last week, despite assurances by senior health officials that cases would decline post-malaria peak period.

According to the  Health ministry's weekly report on epidemic, prone diseases deaths and public events, at least 14 087 malaria cases and 20 deaths were reported in week 22 and of the 2 345 cases reported, there were 11 deaths of children under five years.

Malaria was the leading cause of death among all diseases captured on the surveillance.

The majority of deaths were reported in Centenary, Rushinga, Mbire, Mazowe and Guruve districts, all in Mashonaland Central province.

The provinces which reported the highest number of malaria cases were Manicaland with 4 169 and Mashonaland Central which recorded 3 908, bringing this year's cumulative figure for malaria cases to 425 444.

According to the ministry of Health and Child Care programme manager of the Malaria Control Unit, Joseph Mberikunashe, this year started on a peak, a situation which is a cause for concern.

Malaria claimed 326 lives in the first nine months of 2013 but this year 500 people have already died within six months.

"More rain meant more breeding places for mosquitoes which drive malaria. Zimbabwe received above average rainfall this season and flash floods in some areas created fertile breeding grounds for malaria," he said.

"Due to change of weather patterns we experienced more rains in some drought prone districts of the country where we do not usually distribute nets, hence the increase."

Migration of people within the African region has also been attributed as one of the leading causes of increased cases.

Mberikunashe said there should be continuous regional health service delivery targeting malaria to bring down the cases, consequently ending malaria deaths. He also emphasised that Zimbabweans in malaria-prone areas should desist from working during early morning hours or during the evening.

"When people cross borders or migrate within the country, they carry mosquito parasites and this way, the disease is likely to spread easily," he said.

However, though cases have remained high, Zimbabwe has managed to achieve the Abuja agreement target of 68/1 000 people. According to Mberikunashe, the government has sprayed most mosquito-prone areas with pesticides..