IT grows on roadsides, sprouts in farms and germinates mostly around Arusha, but any attempt to touch it will evoke screams of terror from local residents, “Do not touch it, you will die!”
A new variety of alien weed is spreading around Arusha region, causing diseases, rooting for cancer and reportedly killing people, especially the children who dare touch it.
Scientists from the Tropical Pesticide Research Institute (TPRI), Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) and Education Concerning Hunger Organisation (ECHO) are already studying the strange weed, ‘Parthenium,’ which is referred to as ‘Gugu Karoti’ in Kiswahili.
According to Ms Hannah Hacker, a researcher from Wheaton College in Illinois killer weed is found around Ngaramtoni, Kwa-Mrombo, Parts of Meru and Njiro.
(USA) currently working with ECHO and one of the scientists studying the alien grass, says, “The first effect of getting into contact with the weed is developing skin rashes all over the body.
“These are not the ordinary rashes and medics can hardly identify the infections or their root causes...many will dismiss them as allergies but in the long run, they may develop into ugly wounds or blisters.”
But, the real danger comes upon inhaling the weed’s scent as the victims develop respiratory tract infections and get their breaths inhibited.
The weed allegedly destroys lungs, causes cancer and eventually death, in the absence of prompt medical interventions.
The researcher from TAWIRI, Dr John Bukombe, described Njiro as the most affected suburb of Arusha where the deadly weed seems to flourish better, “And most women in Themi Hill ward have been infected with rashes due to Parthenium weed.”
But, Njiro women do not have an idea why they are developing rashes on their skins, “Those who cut grass for their livestock, or cultivate the farms containing the weeds, and houses that have gardens with the deadly grass, are at great risk of getting the infection,” said Dr Bukombe.
Currently, the weed flourishes in Arusha although it is said to be rapidly spreading to Kilimanjaro, with its traces spotted in parts of Hai district.
Scientists warn that the weed can also grow in the Southern Highlands should its seedlings find their way there. Parthenium can too grow in Bukoba and parts of coastal regions.
Scientists are at the moment conducting training to local residents in Arumeru and ArushaUrban districts on the dangers of the alien grass.
Mr Ndelekwa Kaaya is among the beneficiaries of the awareness training.
"We have heard stories of children dying after playing in the fields containing the grass,” said Mr Kaaya, adding that the village first heard about a woman dying from respiratory problems but the number of people with the Gugu Karoti related rashes is on the rise.
TPRI researchers have cautioned that livestock, especially cattle, are susceptible to the weed infections. They sometimes eat the grass and develop mouth ulcers but if they eat large amount, the animals may die.
The weed also affects milk and drinking the infected dairy products may develop other health ailments.
In Arusha, the Parthenium contains Parthenin, the same compound that is toxic to plants.
The compound, when exposed to the skin or breathed into the lungs overtime, develop negative effects on both humans and animals.
Cases of dermatitis, asthma, and bronchitis due to the chemicals in the pollen and plant matter have been reported in humans.
When consumed by livestock, lesion in the mouth and excessive salivation occur.
According to scientists, consumption also causes tainted meat and milk which can lower the value of livestock.
A diet consisting of between 10 and 50 percent of Parthenium can cause death in cattle.
Most livestock avoid Parthenium but will consume if forced by circumstances.
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