Fear has engulfed communities surrounding Traditional Authority Mkula in Machinga district following the fainting of a girl whom they believe had been affected by a pest that attacks blue gum trees.
The pest, Red Gum Lerp Psyllid which is scientifically known as Glycaspis brimblecombe, has attacked Blue Gum trees in many parts of the country.
When Malawi24 visited the area, Group Village Headman (GVH) Kalanje told this reporter that a girl from Chowe village in his area was about to die after taking in food which had the pests on it.
He added that people in his area are living in fear because these same pests have been causing chickens to die once they eat them.
“People are losing their chickens due to these pests and one girl in my village fainted when she ate a bun infected by the pests,” he said.
Kalanje explained that villagers did not take the girl to hospital but they instead gave her diluted salt as treatment and she was relieved.
There have been reports across the country that Red Gum Lerp Psyllid is poisonous and causes deaths among people and other animals.
However, Entomology, Plants Protection and Forestry Research Officer for Forestry Research Institute of Malawi (FRIM), Davie Moyo, described the claim as misleading.
Moyo confirmed that his office has been receiving these reports but he was quick to say that the allegations have no evidence and it is not true.
“A lot of rumours have been circulating about the pest ranging from causing diseases and deaths but the truth is that it is not true as the information is lacking backing evidence,” he said.
The symptoms of infestation include dropping of leaves and drying of leading shoots. Heavy infestations can lead to total leaf defoliation and eventually death of the tree.
The pest outbreak was reported in South Africa in 2011, Zimbabwe in 2013 and Malawi in 2015.
It is believed that the increased movement of goods and people between countries across the globe enhance the spread of the pest.
Malamulo a ku uk awononga malawi
Even here in Mulanje 6 big snacks have been found died after eating these type of zirombo
GOD iz angry with Malawi
Ogwira ntchito akumalawi amenewo. Kungoyankha ali pampando neng’a mu office kudikira azungu kuti awauze kuti kachilomboka ndikoopsadi, kkkkk. I feel sorry for this country. Why can’t the gentleman go to the place himself and get samples of the pests? Kumachita kunena monyadira kuti talandiradi ma report, and yet you aren’t doing a thing. Uzithokoza kuti uli ku Malawi komwe anthu amapita kuntchito kukasewera. If it was in Tanzania, Magufuli could have fired you.
Ogwira ntchito akumalawi amenewo. Kungoyanga ali pampando neng’a mu office kudikira azungu kuti awauze kuti kachilomboka ndikoopsadi, kkkkk. I feel sorry for this country. Why can’t the gentleman go to the place himself and get samples of the pests? Kumachita kunena monyadira kuti talandiradi ma report, and yet you aren’t doing a thing. Uzithokoza kuti uli ku Malawi komwe anthu amapita kuntchito kukasewera. If it was in Tanzania, Magufuli could have fired you.
Mxm masokaaa chan
Zoonadi
@ John John Sibusiso Sbu Machemba ineyo ndimachokela kwa TA Nkula, they are right. Pachingale turnoff ndi TA Nkula.
Each & Every Day We Hear Problem Here Problem There! God Iz Not Happy With Malawi, If We Aren’t Careful Calamities & Tribulations Will Stil Vist Malawi Now And There!
when sin increases in the country,everything rises against its dwellers, have you not read it in the bible?
Even here in Mulanje 6 big snacks have been found died after eating these type of pest
Very bad
Izi ndinthenda basi coz ngakhale nthenda ya Ebola inabuka mmaiko ena aja kodi ndi nkhani zake ndizoti amuna anakwatirana okhaokha kodi kapena akazi ngakhale Uk komwe kwachoka malamulo awusiluwa akungosangalala anthu kumeneko
We would like to hear what Forestry has done on the rumours. Whether you have already tried to feed such pests to chicken in collaboration with Vetenarians and what has been your findings? The public needs to learn more details from FRIM to put their fear to rest.
thats sad
Ku Machinga kulibeko T/A Mkula bt kuli T/A Mkowola
Ndikunenetsadi ine;kuti #MULUNGU ndikumdziwa ine; sangangokhala chete pa choipa chomwe MALAWI wa chi dzalacho.#ZENIZENIZO SIZINATI kufikira Malawi apinde mawondo
Ingogwetsani Mitengoyo.
Eee ngat nzoona God have mercy especially our kids amangoyika chilichose atatolecho nkamwa
Ndiye pest yanjinso imeneyi anthunu?