By Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has expressed deep concern over a sharp rise in malaria cases recorded across the country during the first 17 weeks of 2025. More than 59,000 cases have been reported, compared to 21,309 during the same period in 2024.
Malaria-related deaths have also risen significantly, increasing by 218% from 45 last year to 143 this year.
The ministry attributes the surge to a combination of environmental and behavioural factors.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is deeply concerned about the sharp rise in malaria cases and deaths across the country in 2025. From Week 1 to Week 17, cumulative malaria cases have increased by 180%, rising from 21,309 in 2024 to 59,647 in 2025. Malaria-related deaths have also increased by 218%, from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025,” said the ministry.
Officials noted that increased participation in outdoor activities such as artisanal mining, farming, tobacco curing, and cross-border trading—particularly during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active—has exposed more people to the disease.
“This increase is being driven by a combination of environmental and behavioural factors. Increased rainfall, humidity, and temperatures have created favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. At the same time, more people are engaging in outdoor activities such as artisanal mining, farming, tobacco curing, and cross-border trading, particularly during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Many of these activities take place in remote areas where access to health services is limited, leading to delays in treatment and an increase in fatalities,” the ministry added.
The number of reported malaria outbreaks has jumped from just one in 2024 to 115 in 2025. Of these, only 23 have been brought under control. The majority of outbreaks have been reported in provinces with high levels of artisanal mining and agricultural activity. Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West are the most affected, contributing a combined 82.8% of all cases and 72.9% of all deaths. Children under five account for 14% of total cases.
In response, the ministry has scaled up its interventions, including the free distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), larvicides, diagnostic kits, and malaria treatment medicines. More than 1.6 million ITNs are being distributed across 14 high-risk districts.
However, a shortfall of 600,000 ITNs has emerged following the withdrawal of funding from the United States Government. Authorities say efforts are underway to address the gap through increased domestic financing.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has taken a number of steps to address the outbreak. These include the free provision of malaria prevention tools such as Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), larvicides, diagnostic kits, and treatment medicines. Provincial and district health teams have intensified community mobilization and awareness campaigns to encourage early treatment and the use of mosquito prevention methods,” said the ministry.
The ministry assured the public that the country has adequate stocks of malaria medicines and diagnostic kits, which were prepositioned ahead of the peak transmission season in collaboration with NatPharm and Provincial Medical Directors.
“All suspected malaria cases are tested and, if positive, treated appropriately. Efforts are also ongoing to work with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to better reach artisanal mining populations, who are highly mobile and often difficult to access,” it added.
Despite these efforts, the ministry acknowledged that significant challenges remain, including the ongoing effects of climate change and the expansion of mosquito breeding seasons.
“Climate change continues to expand the mosquito breeding season and increase the vector population. Artisanal mining activities are increasing, and with them, the number of breeding sites and the population exposed during peak mosquito biting hours. Many of these communities remain difficult to reach and are hesitant to engage with health authorities,” the ministry said.
The ministry reminded the public that this is the high malaria transmission period and urged anyone experiencing symptoms—such as fever, chills, sweating, headaches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea—to seek testing and treatment within 24 hours at the nearest health facility or from a Village Health Worker.
The public is advised to prevent mosquito bites by:
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Sleeping in sprayed houses in districts that receive Indoor Residual Spraying.
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Sleeping under an Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) every night, including when sleeping outdoors, regardless of the season.
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Wearing clothing that covers most of the body when outdoors between sunset and sunrise and using mosquito repellents.
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Seeking prompt treatment at the onset of symptoms.
“Malaria is preventable and curable, but it can kill if not treated early. For more information, please contact your nearest health facility or Village Health Worker,” said the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
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