Harare, (New Ziana) – Fourteen people have died from snake bites since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said. Snake season in Zimbabwe stretches from September to March when the vipers become more active after a period of hibernation between April and August.

Last year, 707 cases of snake bites and three deaths were recorded. In its disease surveillance report for the week ending September 15, the Ministry in a post on X, said a cumulative 2 917 cases snake bites and 14 deaths had been recorded since the beginning of the year.

The current week had received 31 snake bites cases but no deaths were recorded. During the same week, the Ministry said 489 malaria cases and two deaths had been recorded.

The deaths were reported from Marondera District (1) in Mashonaland East province and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital (1) in Harare province with the cumulative figures for the year being 35 055 and 78 deaths. Of the 489 cases, 59 involved children under five years of age, with provinces that recorded cases being Mashonaland Central, (244) and Manicaland (85).

During the same week, nine deaths were reported from 8 482 common diarrhoea that were recorded. The deaths occurred at Mpilo Central Hospital (1), in Bulawayo, Mwenezi District (1) in Masvingo and Nyanga District (2) in Manicaland with 4 235 of the reported cases involving children under five years.

Of the reported cases, 4 235 were from under five years of age. “The provinces that reported highest number of cases were Mashonaland West (1230) and Manicaland (1172). The cumulative figures for common diarrhoea are 257 601 cases and 136 deaths,” the Ministry said.

New Ziana