Busia: In an effort to mitigate the high malaria prevalence in Busia County, which is the highest in Kenya, the Department of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with End Malaria Council launched the 3rd phase of Larval Source Management at Akiriamasit in Amukura West Ward, Teso Central Sub County. This initiative comes at a critical time as Busia County continues to face malaria prevalence rates six times higher than the national average and three times higher than other lake endemic counties.
According to Kenya News Agency, as of the beginning of last year, Busia County recorded the highest malaria prevalence rate at 39 percent, which is significantly above the national average. This resulted in a robust Anti-Malaria campaign through the use of drones to administer biolarvicide, an insecticide targeting mosquito larvae to reduce malaria transmission. This innovative approach is efficient, especially in accessing unreachable breeding grounds such as swampy areas.
Speaking at Akiriamasit in Amukura West Ward, Deputy Governor Arthur Odera stated that they have made significant progress in reducing malaria transmission through the collective efforts of indoor residual spraying, distribution of treated mosquito nets, and use of drone technology. 'We have drastically managed to reduce the transmission of malaria in Busia County through our collective efforts by incorporating all the means necessary to combat the high rate of malaria,' said Odera.
Chief Officer for Public Health Susan Outa emphasized that Community Health Promoters (CHPs) would be included to enhance the fight against malaria. Moreover, she urged Busia residents to observe malaria prevention measures by sleeping under treated mosquito nets. 'Despite our efforts to end malaria, I urge the residents of Busia to ensure their safety by sleeping under treated mosquito nets,' stated Outa.
According to the Secretary to End Malaria Council Dr. Willis Afwande, the previous phase treated approximately 17,000 hectares of breeding grounds, resulting in a remarkable 95 percent reduction in adult mosquito populations that would have caused infections.
The County Malaria Control Coordinator Valerian Karani revealed that about 40 percent of all outpatient visits in Busia Health facilities were due to malaria, with 2 percent of deaths attributed to severe cases. 'Our recently concluded Indoor Residual Spraying Campaign achieved 101 percent coverage, protecting 76 percent of our population by treating 265,333 structures,' he added.
The Larvae Source Management programme is generously funded by AC Johnson, who has also provided resources to rehabilitate a Health Center at Malaba for malaria prevention and control services to the border population.