By Staff Reporter
ZIMBABWE has recorded a rise in malaria cases and related deaths in the year 2025, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has confirmed.
The Health ministry has reported an alarming 180% increase in cumulative malaria cases, soaring from 21,309 in 2024 to 59,647 this year, with deaths attributed to malaria having risen sharply 218% from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025.
In a statement, the ministry said the combinations of environmental factors such as high rainfall and temperatures have increased breading spaces for mosquitoes.
“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,” reads the statement.
Three provinces with high artisanal mining and agriculture activities have been mostly affected with the ministry only managing to control 23 cases out of 115 this year.
“The number of reported malaria outbreaks has jumped from just one in 2024 to 115 in 2025. Out 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 activities.
“Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West are the most affected provinces, contributing a combined 82.8% of all cases and 72.9% of all deaths. Children under the age of five account for 14% of the total malaria cases,” reads the statement.
The ministry has put in place several measures to combat the malaria outbreak, including the free distribution of essential malaria prevention tools such as Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), larvicides, diagnostic kits, and treatment medications.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has taken a number of steps to address the outbreak…provincial and district health teams have intensified community mobilisation and awareness campaigns to encourage early treatment and the use of mosquito prevention methods.
“A total of 1,615,000 ITNs are being distributed in 14 high-risk districts, although there is a shortfall of 600,000 nets due to the withdrawal of funding from the United States government.
“The government remains committed to closing this gap through increased domestic financing. Larvicides are being applied to breeding sites where available, although supply remains limited,” the statement further noted.
The ministry also indicated that there are enough stocks of medicines and diagnostics kits for malaria, urging the public to get tested when they experience unusual fever conditions within 24 hours.
“The country currently has adequate stocks of malaria medicines and diagnostic kits. These were prepositioned ahead of the peak transmission period through NatPharm in collaboration with 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.
“Despite these efforts, challenges remain. 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 reminds the public that this is the high malaria transmission period. Anyone experiencing malaria symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, headaches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea is urged to seek testing and treatment within 24 hours from their nearest health facility or village health worker,” said the ministry.