HARARE – Zimbabwe is currently battling a severe malaria outbreak, with a concerning surge in cases and fatalities placing immense strain on the country’s already fragile healthcare system. A recent report by an international organisation has warned that Zimbabwe’s ability to effectively manage and reduce deaths from the disease is severely hampered by the collapse of its health delivery system and the withdrawal of crucial donor aid.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s disease surveillance report for the week ending 11 May 2025, malaria has claimed the lives of 253 people out of 73,207 reported cases. The report further revealed a grim statistic: 33 deaths and 11,030 new cases were recorded in just a single week, highlighting the rapid spread and severity of the outbreak.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued a stark warning about the escalating malaria crisis in Zimbabwe. The IFRC’s report underscores the immense pressure being exerted on healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas where resources are already stretched thin.
Mashonaland West province has emerged as a major malaria hotspot, with 47 confirmed deaths and a case fatality rate of 0.33% as of 2 May 2025. The province is also dealing with a cholera outbreak that began on 4 November 2024, in the Kariba district.
The malaria incidence rate in Mashonaland West has seen a significant increase, rising from 1.54 per 1,000 population between weeks 1-18 in 2024, to 7.66 per 1,000 during the same period in 2025. The IFRC has described this nearly fivefold increase as indicative of a sharp surge in malaria transmission. This suggests there are possible gaps in prevention measures, such as insecticide-treated nets coverage, case management, vector control, or surveillance.
The IFRC report stated that the peak of the outbreak observed since April continues to pose a concern. It also stated that La Niña-induced rains, poor ITN coverage, and high exposure in farming and mining zones have created conditions that dramatically worsened transmission, justifying urgent intervention.
The report further highlighted that persistent hotspots and on-going new cases show that the outbreak had not yet been fully contained by early May, especially where vector control gaps and late treatment-seeking behaviours persist, which could contribute to the trend.
The IFRC has also noted that the malaria outbreak in Mashonaland West is putting pressure on healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas where vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly are most affected.
The surge in malaria cases has had a ripple effect on other essential health services. The IFRC report states that the overwhelming influx of patients has diverted attention and resources away from maternal and child health programmes, immunisations, and chronic disease management.
The IFRC said clinics and hospitals have faced increased patient loads, leading to potential shortages in medical supplies and staff fatigue.
The report further states that the focus on managing the malaria outbreak has diverted attention and resources from other essential health services, such as maternal and child health programmes, immunisations, and management of chronic diseases.
The malaria outbreak has also taken a toll on community mental well-being. The IFRC reports that the 2025 malaria cases have exceeded the seasonal threshold resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, with 47 confirmed deaths reported as of 2 May 2025 in Mashonaland West province with overall case fatality rate of 0.33%.
The IFRC said Zimbabwe’s malaria outbreak has caused untold anxiety and stress among community members, particularly in areas with high infection rates. It also noted that fear of contracting the disease and concerns about the availability of treatment have impacted mental well-being.
Secondary effects of the outbreak include increased absenteeism from work among adults and from school among children, adversely affecting academic performance and long-term educational outcomes.
The Ministry of Health is now implementing a programme to help the most vulnerable populations in three districts with the highest malaria cases.
The US early this year said its initiatives through USAid and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had helped reduce the incidence of malaria in Zimbabwe by 40% in the last 15 years.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry the heaviest malaria burden, accounting for about 95% of all malaria cases in 2020. Malaria is classified as uncomplicated or severe malaria.
As Zimbabwe battles this deadly outbreak, the need for urgent intervention and increased support for the country’s healthcare system has never been more apparent. The lives and well-being of countless Zimbabweans depend on it.
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