Chinese experts step up rainy season disease prevention in Pemba

ZANZIBAR: CHINESE public health experts assisting Zanzibar have conducted a large-scale health education campaign on waterborne infectious diseases ahead of the rainy season in Pemba.

The activity was held recently in Kwale Shehia under the China-aided schistosomiasis prevention and control technical assistance project.

More than 300 residents attended the session, which focused on raising awareness about diseases that commonly surge during the rains, including schistosomiasis, diarrhoea and cholera. Kwale residents rely heavily on natural water sources for domestic and economic activities.

With the onset of the rainy season, increased rainfall often leads to flooding and surface water accumulation, heightening the risk of water contamination and the spread of infectious diseases.

More frequent contact with contaminated water significantly increases the chances of transmission, particularly among children and those engaged in farming and fishing activities.

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In response, the Chinese experts team organised the campaign under the theme “Rainy Season Prevention and Proactive Protection,” aiming to strengthen community knowledge and encourage early preventive action. During the session, experts provided detailed explanation on how schistosomiasis is transmitted, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when water spreads and stagnates.

They highlighted environmental factors that elevate infection risks and stressed key preventive measures such as avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water, refraining from crossing flooded areas barefoot and not bathing or washing clothes in unsafe water sources.

The head of the expert team, Dr Wang Wei, said the rainy season is a peak period for waterborne diseases, making early health education essential in reducing transmission risks. He noted that the team will continue intensifying health education campaigns and conducting screenings among high-risk groups to ensure effective implementation of prevention and control measures at the community level.

The initiative forms part of ongoing cooperation between China and Zanzibar aimed at strengthening grassroots capacity to combat schistosomiasis and other water-related diseases while safeguarding the health and safety of residents on Pemba Island.