Bed Bug Outbreak in Gweru , Council Urged to Act
n n nn n By Delicious Mathuthu n nn n Zimbabwe - Gweru has officially confirmed its first reports of a bed bug outbreak with three cases reported so far. n nn n This was revealed on Monday, June 16, during Gweru City's ordinary council meet
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By Delicious Mathuthu
Zimbabwe - Gweru has officially confirmed its first reports of a bed bug outbreak with three cases reported so far.
This was revealed on Monday, June 16, during Gweru City's ordinary council meeting where the local authority acknowledged receiving multiple reports of infestations.
Health and Housing Committee Chairperson, Councillor William Mazango, confirmed the three reports, however saying the local authority lacks the capacity to mount a full-scale proactive response.
“So far we have three bed bug reports…but we don’t have the capacity to spray the whole city at the moment.
“We are responding to individual cases as they come, but we cannot conduct citywide spraying,” Councilor Mazango said.
He was responding to Women’s Quota Councillor, Fortunate Mlambo, who called on council to go beyond reactive measures and begin implementing proactive strategies to contain the spread.
“Right now, we only respond when there are rumours of infestations.
“Can’t we put in place prevention strategies so that we ensure our communities are protected?” She asked.
She also urged the local authority to carry out education campaigns, particularly targeting women and children, on how to identify bed bugs and understand their health risks.
Zimbabwe has seen a rise in bed bug infestations in urban areas of late, starting in Harare.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that hide in mattresses, clothing and furniture.
Experts say though they do not transmit diseases, their bites can cause irritation, sleep loss, and distress.
They also warn that once established, bed bug populations are difficult to eliminate without coordinated, large-scale intervention.
Public health experts recommend frequent inspections, improved waste disposal, public education, and professional pest control interventions.
While this marks Gweru’s first known outbreak, some residents say council's current approach, based largely on complaint-driven response, will not be enough to arrest the threat.
