HARARE, April 29, 2025 — Harare City Council has confirmed that a recent outbreak of bedbugs has so far been confined to the densely populated suburb of Mbare, following rising concern among residents about a possible citywide infestation. While isolated reports have emerged from other neighborhoods, including Mabvuku, Glen View, and Budiriro, officials say investigations are still ongoing to verify the extent of the spread.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, city health officials sought to calm fears of a widespread infestation, clarifying that active cases have only been confirmed in Mbare at this stage.
“We have only confirmed cases in Mbare at the moment,” said a senior official from Harare’s Health Services Department. “Other reports from surrounding areas are still under investigation, and we are conducting door-to-door assessments to determine the true extent of the situation.”
Fumigation Efforts Underway in Mbare
In response to the outbreak, the City of Harare, in collaboration with local health organizations, has distributed fumigation chemicals to households in the affected area. These chemicals were provided free of charge to assist families in eliminating the bedbug infestation within their homes.
“We are urging residents to properly use the fumigation products we’ve distributed and to report any persistent or spreading cases immediately,” the official added.
The fumigation exercise has mainly focused on high-density suburbs, where poor housing conditions and overcrowding make pest control more difficult. Mbare, one of Harare’s oldest and most congested neighborhoods, has become the epicenter of the response operation.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Poor Sanitation and Neglect
Some residents have expressed frustration with what they perceive as a lack of consistent attention from the city council, particularly in high-density areas like Mbare, where sanitation services are often stretched thin.
“The infestation has been a problem for weeks now,” said Memory Chikafu, a mother of three living in Mbare Flats. “We keep cleaning, but the bugs keep coming back. The council should have responded sooner.”
Others have called for a more sustained and coordinated campaign that includes garbage collection, regular fumigation, and improved drainage in the area.
“Fumigating once is not enough,” said Simon Musanhu, another Mbare resident. “We need a long-term solution that addresses the root causes, like uncollected waste and overcrowded living conditions.”
Investigations Extend to Other Suburbs
While Mbare remains the only officially confirmed location for the outbreak, reports from Mabvuku, Glen View, and Budiriro have prompted authorities to widen their investigation. Health workers are currently visiting households in these areas to verify claims and determine whether similar fumigation measures are needed.
“We are not ruling out the possibility of isolated cases in other suburbs,” the city health official confirmed. “However, we urge residents not to panic. Our teams are on the ground gathering information, and any confirmed outbreaks will be addressed promptly.”
City officials have emphasized the importance of community cooperation and information sharing in helping control the spread of bedbugs.
Understanding the Threat
Bedbugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on human and animal blood. They typically hide in bedding, furniture, and cracks in walls, emerging at night to feed. Though they are not known to spread diseases, their bites can cause significant discomfort, allergic reactions, and psychological distress for those affected.
Infestations often spread rapidly in densely populated or poorly maintained environments, making prompt detection and treatment essential.
“Once they take hold in a community, bedbugs can be very difficult to eliminate without coordinated action,” explained pest control expert Tinashe Dube. “You need both household-level treatment and public sanitation to break the cycle.”
Dube warned that without broader improvements in sanitation and pest control infrastructure, the infestation could resurface even after fumigation.
City Council Urges Preventive Measures
The Harare City Council has urged residents to adopt preventive measures while it continues its investigations and interventions. These include regularly washing bedding and clothes in hot water, reducing clutter where bedbugs may hide, sealing cracks in walls, and inspecting furniture—especially second-hand items—before bringing them into the home.
In addition, the council is calling on residents to report any suspected infestations directly to local health officers or community leaders so that proper interventions can be planned.
“Community awareness and early reporting are our first lines of defense,” the city health official stressed. “If people speak up early, we can intervene before the infestation spreads.”
Looking Ahead
As authorities work to contain the bedbug outbreak, there is growing demand for long-term investment in public health infrastructure and pest management in Harare’s high-density suburbs. Advocacy groups have also urged the government to develop a comprehensive urban pest control strategy to address similar outbreaks more effectively in the future.
“Outbreaks like these are symptoms of a broader urban health crisis,” said Tendai Mhaka, a public health researcher in Harare. “We need not just emergency responses, but sustained improvements in sanitation, housing, and community health services.”
For now, Mbare remains the primary focus of efforts, with city health teams continuing fumigation and monitoring activities. The City Council has promised to release an official update later in the week following the conclusion of assessments in the other reported suburbs.
