Malaria in Victoria Falls: Winning the Battle Against the Mosquito-Borne Disease
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s top tourist destination, is making significant progress in its fight against malaria. Official figures show a drastic decrease in the number of malaria cases in the region, with only 15 cases reported in 2018. This is a remarkable improvement compared to previous years, with just 13 cases in 2015 and 27 cases in 2017. So far this year, only six cases have been recorded.
Dr. Wisdom Kurauone, the district medical officer for Hwange, credits this success to the efforts of the Zimbabwean government. A decade ago, there were three times as many malaria cases in Victoria Falls. However, with initiatives like mosquito spraying, distribution of mosquito nets, and community education on malaria prevention, the number of cases has significantly decreased.
Dr. Kurauone is optimistic about the future, believing that Victoria Falls may soon be malaria-free. While most cases in the area are contracted outside of Victoria Falls by locals traveling to neighboring areas, he advises visitors to continue taking prophylactics as a precaution.
Despite the decrease in malaria cases, the government continues to provide free treatment and prevention methods. With no deaths from malaria reported in Victoria Falls in the past three years, the community remains vigilant in their efforts to combat the disease.
While mosquitoes are still present in the area, Dr. Kurauone reassures that most do not carry malaria. He humorously refers to them as “nonsense” mosquitoes that only cause irritation through their bites.
As the main malaria transmission months are from August to February, visitors are advised to take prophylactics year-round to ensure their safety. With ongoing efforts and community support, Victoria Falls is well on its way to becoming a malaria-free destination.