Zimbabwe is facing a dramatic resurgence of malaria, with suspected cases surging nearly fourfold in 2025, according to new data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Africa CDC reported on Friday that the country had recorded 111,998 cases and 310 deaths by mid-year, up from 29,031 cases and 49 deaths during the same period in 2024.
It attributed the spike to prolonged rains, low use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and increased exposure from high-risk livelihoods such as gold panning, fishing and artisanal mining.
“This surge is no coincidence,” Africa CDC epidemiologist Memory Mapfumo Africa CDC. “Prolonged rains have fuelled mosquito breeding, while activities like gold panning, fishing and artisanal mining are exposing more individuals to risk, especially during peak mosquito activity hours.”
The outbreak has affected 115 of Zimbabwe’s 1,705 health facilities, straining an already burdened healthcare system.
Mashonaland Central province accounts for 32 percent of all cases, while Manicaland has reported 25 percent of malaria-related deaths.
Zimbabwe’s crisis reflects a broader regional trend.
Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini have all reported sharp increases in malaria cases this year.
Botswana saw a 10-fold rise, with 2,223 cases and 11 deaths, mostly concentrated in the Okavango region.
Namibia has reported 89,959 cases and 146 deaths, with 18 percent of infections imported from neighbouring countries.
Eswatini, which is in the malaria elimination phase, recorded 187 cases, with children and farmers among the most affected.
Experts warn that climate change, cross-border transmission and gaps in healthcare access are expanding the reach of malaria across southern Africa.
“As climate change accelerates, we are witnessing shifts in temperature and rainfall that are expanding the range of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, introducing vectors into previously unaffected regions,” Africa CDC head of surveillance and disease intelligence Merawi Aragaw said.
He noted that this is not only a regional issue but a global challenge that calls for coordinated international efforts.
“Sustained vector control measures – including environmental management, strengthening surveillance, drug and diagnostic resistance monitoring and fostering cross-border collaboration – will be critical in mitigating the growing threat of vector-borne diseases, especially malaria.”
Malaria could reclaim its place as one of Africa’s deadliest diseases unless urgent action is taken to address the contributory factors, he warned.
JN/APA