A malaria outbreak has claimed 85 lives in Zimbabwe since end of 2024, with Mashonaland West province suffering a nearly fivefold surge in infections compared to last year.
The province, which lies in the Zambezi lowveld – a region with warm, humid conditions ideal for mosquito breeding – has recorded an alarming increase in malaria cases, rising from 1.54 per 1,000 people between January and May 2024 to 7.66 per 1,000 during the same period in 2025, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“The outbreak has resulted in increased morbidity and mortality, with 47 confirmed deaths reported as of 2nd May 2025 in Mashonaland West province, with overall case fatality rate of 0.33 percent,” IFRC said in a statement Wednesday.
This was more than half of the national death toll that was pegged at 85 at the end of April, according to IFRC.
It noted that Hurungwe, Makonde and Sanyati districts have emerged as hotspots, with ongoing transmission fuelled by heavy rains that fell during the just ended 2024/25 farming season, creating more mosquito breeding sites.
Poor access to insecticide-treated nets, inadequate vector control and delayed treatment have exacerbated the situation, particularly in farming and mining areas where nighttime activities increase exposure.
The outbreak has strained healthcare facilities, with rural clinics and hospitals struggling to accommodate surging patient numbers.
Limited resources, staff fatigue, and shortages of medical supplies threaten efforts to contain the disease.
“In Zimbabwe, malaria is endemic, but the 2025 malaria trend exceeded the seasonal threshold,” IFRC said.
High-risk groups – including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions – face heightened vulnerability.
Mashonaland West is also battling a cholera outbreak that began in November 2024 in Kariba district, further pressuring the province’s health system.
JN/APA