World Vision fights malaria in Nkhata Bay

World Vision Malawi says it has targeted 75 799 households with indoor residual spraying (IRS) exercise to kill mosquitoes to prevent the spread of malaria in Nkhata Bay District.

Speaking on Tuesday at Mpamba area in the district, World Vision Malawi IRS coordinator Trynomica Kalua said the exercise has already surpassed the World Health Organisation’s 85 recommended percentage coverage rate.

She said: “This is day number 38 since we started the exercise. We usually conduct the exercise for 36 days every year, but we have extended the days due to some factors beyond our control.

“The initial target was 71 729 households this year, but our sprayer operators found that 75 799 households needed the service.”

Kalua attributed the failure to meet the deadline to heavy rains that prolonged for four days early and mid-November this year, farm works that kept people busy and people’s resistance to the exercise.

Site manager for the exercise Thokozire Chinkhuntha said fludora fusion, the chemical being applied, is effective for eight months.

“Fludora fusion is a powerful chemical that is effective for about six to eight months lessening the impact of mosquito bites,” she said.

Fanny Kamanga, a beneficiary, said this is the second time for her house to be sprayed with the chemicals.

“We have been free from malaria cases since 2022,” she said.

Nkhata Bay district health coordinator Godfrey Sibale said the district has experienced a slight decrease in malaria cases this year.

“Reports from January this year indicate that Nkhata Bay has registered 743 cases against 850 during the corresponding period in 2022,” he said.

Mpamba is one of the nine sites established in the district having 32 sprayer operators split into six teams.

The exercise started on October 9 2023.