Mbare’s Bedbug Crisis: Could This Infestation Spread Across the Entire City of Harare?
Mbare, Zimbabwe – A bedbug crisis is rapidly escalating in Mbare, one of Zimbabwe’s busiest neighborhoods, and if not contained, it could soon spread across the entire city. The infestation has already moved from one block to another, sparking fears of a widespread outbreak in Harare.
On April 6, 2025, the City of Harare launched an emergency fumigation operation to combat the alarming spread of bedbugs in Mbare. The infestation has reached several areas, including Matererini Flats, Matapi Flats, Majubheki Flats, Magaba, and Mbare National. Local officials, including Councillor Simbarashe Chanachimwe, have raised concerns that previous extermination efforts have not been enough to curb the problem.
“We fear that this will soon become a citywide outbreak,” said Cllr. Chanachimwe. The situation is becoming more urgent, with Mbare, known for Zimbabwe’s largest thrift markets, being a key factor in the spread. Bedbugs are notorious for hitching rides on second-hand clothing, furniture, and luggage, which are frequently sold at the local market known as “mabhero.”
The bedbug infestation in Mbare bears resemblance to the 2023 crisis in Paris, where the pests infiltrated public transport, hotels, and movie theaters, causing widespread panic. While bedbugs do not spread diseases, their presence can lead to various health problems such as skin rashes, infections, insomnia, mental health struggles, and in severe cases, anemia.
Harare’s Health Director, Dr. Prosper Chonzi, emphasized that personal hygiene plays a key role in managing the infestation. However, many Mbare residents lack access to sufficient water for proper cleaning, which complicates efforts to prevent the bugs from spreading further. “If bed linen is not washed, dried properly, and ironed, the bugs will continue to thrive,” Dr. Chonzi warned.
In response, Mayor Jacob Mafume assured residents that enough insecticide supplies are available, and community volunteers are being mobilized to assist with the fumigation process. Continuous spraying of hostels and other affected areas is underway, and a structured fumigation schedule is being put in place to control the outbreak.
While bedbugs aren’t known to transmit diseases, their impact on public health and well-being cannot be ignored. The high cost of extermination services adds a significant financial burden to those affected. Furthermore, the City of Harare is addressing longer-term issues such as sewage management and living conditions in the flats to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing bedbug crisis in Mbare, and learn how the City of Harare plans to contain the infestation before it spreads further.
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