Health Officials Urge Caution During Bilharzia Treatment Campaign
Left untreated, bilharzia can cause infertility and genital problems, according to Mndalira.
ZOMBA, Malawi- Zomba District Health Office is urging residents to avoid open defecation and take precautions during an upcoming mass drug administration campaign to treat bilharzia, writes Peter Davieson.
Alnord Mndalira, spokesperson for ZDHO, said at a press briefing Wednesday that the office has set a target of treating 211,000 children ages 5 to 15 from 1,998 villages in the district from Sept. 25 to 27.
"Zomba district is endemic for bilharzia at a moderate level, so we are targeting school-age children in specific areas where it is more prevalent," Mndalira said.
"We are urging parents and guardians to accompany their children when receiving the medicine."
He also asked caretakers to provide food to children before the drugs.
"Praziquantel and albendazole are powerful, so we request they eat enough beforehand to avoid complications," Mndalira said.
Left untreated, bilharzia can cause infertility and genital problems, according to Mndalira.
He stressed avoiding open defecation to prevent transmission of the parasite.