Bilharzia ravages Siavonga villagers

Bilharzia has broken out in Kanephara village of Siavonga district with close to hundred cases so far recorded in the area.

The disease outbreak has been confirmed by Mtendere Mission hospital staff in Chirundu where the patients are currently accessing treatment.
The water borne disease broke out about two weeks ago and has affected nearly all households in the village that falls under Chief Sikoongo.

And MMD Chirundu Ward councilor Gift Chanda who toured the village on Sunday, described the water supply situation in Kanephara and other surrounding villages as a big source of worry.

Chanda attributed the outbreak of the disease in Kanephara to the sharing of drinking water between human beings and domestic animals, at a nearby shallow dam.

“The situation in Kanephara is quite serious and my appeal is that government should intervene by providing a borehole in the area so that the disease can be contained,” he appealed.

Chanda further stated that apart from Kanephara village, most villages in the ward were also affected with a similar water problem forcing them to walk long distances to the lower Zambezi River in search of the commodity.

The Civic leader named some of the villages were people are seriously affected with lack of clean drinking water as Choonga, Nakakuyu, Kadunga, Manaba and Mandenga.

“People in these villages are forced to walk about 2 to 3 km to go and fetch water from the Zambezi River. Apart from walking a long distance, they also risk their lives because of the presence of hippos and crocodiles in the river, “Chanda observed.

Meanwhile, the Siavonga District Development Coordinating Committee has tasked management at Southern Water and Sewerage Company to ensure that it improves water supply in Chirundu Township.

The Committee’s meeting chaired by District Commissioner Emily Striedl on Friday, urged the water utility company to provide safe drinking water to its customers in Chirundu area.

ZANIS