SYDNEY MUBAIWA
KWEKWE CITY– The city of gold has confirmed the outbreak of bed bugs in some of its oldest suburbs prompting the health authorities to start fumigating the area in a bid to curb the spread of blood sucking insects.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga said the outbreak is limited to specific areas within Amaveni and Mbizo Section 7 not citywide.
Zinhanga said the local authority was on top of the situation, urging residents to remain calm while affected areas are kept under continuous fumigation by the city’s health services department.
“Only a small part of Amaveni and Mbizo section 7 have been reported as having bedbugs. As the City of Kwekwe, we have been carrying out regular fumigation in the affected areas. However, I want to clarify that the outbreak is only limited to specific parts of these suburbs .
“Residents should remain calm while the affected areas are kept under continuous fumigation by Kwekwe City’s department of health,” he said.
He urged residents to cooperate with municipal teams and report further signs of infestation.
The bedbugs outbreak has sparked concerns among Kwekwe residents with some calling the local authority to employ broader preventative measures in other suburbs.
Bedbugs favour crowded and unhygienic environments and are difficult to eliminate once an infestation is established.
Zinhanga said the local authority was considering to take additional interventions including conducting public health education campaigns.
In Harare the bedbugs have caused sleepless nights to Mbare residents which was the first to affected.
