GOVERNMENT has been called to action following an outbreak of elephantiasis in Mashonaland West province.

Elephantiasis is a parasitic disease that affects the lymph nodes and lymph vessels and is spread by infectious mosquitoes.

Cases of the disease have been reported in Kariba and Mhondoro Ngezi.

The outbreak was discovered after some pupils recently showed signs of illness in rural Kariba.

According to Kariba legislator Shine Gwangwava, about 21 pupils evaluated were positive to the disease after some tests were conducted.

The cases were reported at Kalundu, Mola and Kauzhumba primary schools that recorded two cases each, while Kasvisva, Msambakaruma, Kanyati, Negande and Kadziro had three cases each.

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“What worries us is that the disease affects several generations. The infection may have some lasting effects,” Gwangwava said.

“It has affected many people along the Zambezi Valley, where we have some tributaries that provide good breeding sanctuaries for mosquitos.”

The findings have led the Health and Child Care ministry to embark on a 10-day mass drug administration in the affected areas.

Kariba traditional leader Chief Negande, born Kausu Mpofu, said communities should adhere to the vaccination programme.

“If the research was conducted and medical experts saw it fit to administer medication, the traditional leadership approves the move,” he said.

“We urge communities to accept the medication without resistance as it is good for our wellbeing.”

George Kambondo, who is Mashonaland West provincial health promotion officer, said the mass vaccination campaign will kick off on Monday.

“This exercise comes because of a research conducted in Kariba that found a high prevalence of lymphatic filariasis,” Kambondo said, urging the affected communities to participate in the free mass drug administration exercise.

“People will receive three drugs to prevent this neglected tropical disease.”

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the government should work towards the elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by facilitating knowledge sharing and active community participation.

“There is need to conduct health education and community awareness campaigns on NTDs such as lymphatic filariasis which is a neglected tropical disease,” he said.

“There is need to make sure that community health workers are well equipped and well trained about NTDs as they are essential to deal with disease outbreaks and community response.

“Communities should be cultured and disciplined from family level to practice individual and community health hygiene. There is a need for strengthening of community awareness, participation and self-reliance in fostering the culture of prevention and control of NTDs.”

Rusike also called for strengthened distribution of treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying programmes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says over 882 million people in 44 countries worldwide remain threatened by elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, and require preventive chemotherapy to stop the spread of this parasitic infection.

“Lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated by stopping the spread of infection through preventive chemotherapy with safe medicine combinations repeated annually,” read a statement by WHO on its website.

“More than nine billion cumulative treatments have been delivered to stop the spread of infection since 2000.”