Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZIMBABWE and other southern Africa countries such as Botswana, eSwatini and Namibia have recorded a rise in malaria cases and deaths, according to the Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
According to the centre, as of epidemiological week 23 of 2025, Zimbabwe had reported 111 998 cases and 310 deaths as compared to 29 031 cases and 49 deaths during the same period in 2024.
“Across Zimbabwe, 115 out of 1 705 health facilities have been affected, highlighting the widespread impact of the disease on healthcare infrastructure. Since the start of 2025, Mashonaland Central province has accounted for 32% of all malaria cases, while Manicaland reported 25% of the malaria-related deaths,” the report read.
“The situation is worsened by the low use of insecticide-treated bed nets, leaving communities exposed and placing further strain on already stretched health systems.
“This reflects a broader challenge across southern Africa, where shifting climate patterns and expanding high-risk livelihoods are driving a growing malaria threat, necessitating quicker, more targeted and sustained responses.”
An epidemiologist at Africa CDC, Memory Mapfumo, said prolonged rains had fuelled mosquito breeding, while activities like gold panning, fishing and artisanal mining were exposing more individuals to risk, especially during peak mosquito activity hours.
Head of Africa CDC’s surveillance and disease intelligence, Merawi Aragaw, said that was not a regional issue, but a global challenge that called for co-ordinated international efforts.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said malaria remained a deadly national health challenge.
“Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,” he said.
“Investing in the fight against malaria not only saves lives, but it also boosts productivity, creates economic opportunities, strengthens national health security and makes the country safer for everyone.”
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