The Ministry of Health says the risk of contaminating bilharzia in the country’s hotspots has been reduced.

Spokesperson for the Ministry Joshua Malango said this has been achieved through the 2017 Mass Bilharzia Campaign.

“The campaign started earlier in the year in bilharzia prone areas and it included drug administration and raising awareness of the disease,” he said.

Malango said the Mass Bilharzia Campaign coverage was at 91 percent as one district has not reached.

“Likoma has not been reached yet due to transport problem but we are looking forward to go there to raise awareness of the disease,” he claimed.

Malango said the ministry is now in the process of implementing plans of tackling the disease in the coming year.

Bilharzia is an infection caused by parasitic flat-worms in the urinary tract. Bilharzia is spread through use of contaminated water.

About 20 percent of Malawi’s population live in bilharzia-affected areas, making them more vulnerable than the rest of the population.