Harare, (New Ziana) –Zimbabwe has recorded a surge in common communicable diseases, although no related deaths were reported in the latest Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the period ending 12 October this year, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.
The report shows that a total of 5 779 suspected influenza cases were documented nationwide during the week under review, with Manicaland province (1 990) and Mashonaland West (1 694) carrying the bulk of the burden.
Cumulative figures for influenza now stand at 281 833 cases and 6 deaths since the beginning of the year as health authorities also continue monitoring animal-related incidents with a total of 541 dog bite cases recorded across the country during the week, again with no fatalities.
Midlands and Mashonaland West provinces each contributed 83 cases, while Masvingo province followed closely with 81.
Alarmingly, most of the victims were bitten by dogs whose vaccination status could not be confirmed, accounting for 322 cases (59.6 percent), while 96 cases (17.7 percent) involved vaccinated dogs and 123 cases (22.7 percent) involved unvaccinated dogs, with the cumulative tally for dog bites now standing at 21 742 and zero deaths recorded.
Meanwhile, 12 cases of anthrax were detected in Gokwe North (10) and Gokwe South (2) districts, both in the Midlands province and, although no deaths were reported, the outbreak continues to draw attention due to livestock-human interaction in rural communities, pushing the cumulative case total to 137, all non-fatal.
The country also recorded 374 dysentery cases, predominantly from Mashonaland West (99) and Mashonaland Central (74). Cumulative dysentery figures have risen to 13 353 cases, with 5 deaths reported so far this year.
Health authorities say the continued reporting of zero deaths across major disease categories this week reflects ongoing improvements in clinical management and surveillance.
However, the authorities warned that heightened public health vigilance remains crucial, particularly as the rainy season approaches, often bringing increased risks of waterborne and respiratory illnesses.
Communities are being urged to maintain hygiene standards, seek medical treatment early and ensure domestic animals are vaccinated to minimise preventable infections.
New Ziana
