Over 20,000 Malaria Cases & 44 Deaths Reported

Zimbabwe has seen a surge in malaria cases, with over 20,000 reported instances and 44 fatalities in recent weeks, as per data from the Health and Child Care Ministry. 

Mashonaland Central emerges as the most affected province, contributing over half of the reported cases and more than a quarter of the deaths.

The Disease Surveillance report for the week ending 28 April highlighted Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces as the hardest hit, with a combined total of 1,207 reported cases. Of concern, 162 cases were among children under five years old, with fatalities reported in Masvingo, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central provinces.

To combat the outbreak, the ministry has initiated various measures, including indoor residual spraying, aimed at curbing further spread and preventing additional deaths.

The World Health Organization recognizes malaria as a significant public health challenge affecting all demographics in Zimbabwe. Itai Rusike, Executive Director at Community Working Group on Health, attributed the rise in cases to climate change and growing resistance to insecticides.

Johannes Marisa, President of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of government-led awareness campaigns to educate the public about malaria prevention and early treatment. Marisa underscored the severity of the disease, warning of potential complications like renal failure, anaemia, cerebral malaria, or even death if not promptly addressed.

Malaria remains a grave concern globally, affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Addressing the current outbreak requires a concerted effort to leverage existing tools and ensure equitable access to innovative solutions, to eliminate malaria by 2030.