Harare, (New Ziana) –Zimbabwean health officials have urged the public not to panic over the spike in influenza cases saying it is consistent with the usual winter trends, as the country records over 12 000 new reports in the past week.

The latest statistics, outlined in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending June 26 this year, show that no fatalities have been linked to the flu outbreak so far.

Public health professionals are urging calm, pointing out that the increase is expected during the chilly months of June and July.

Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians secretary general, Dr Kudzai Masunda said the country is currently within the normal seasonal flu window.

“Each year around this time, we witness a surge in flu cases. If we compare with previous years, we are still operating within expected thresholds. In fact, during the peak of our flu season, numbers can rise to about 14 000 cases weekly,” he said.

He further noted that the transmission pattern likely reflects increased human interaction in closed spaces, coupled with individuals not isolating while symptomatic.

“Influenza is mainly transmitted through airborne droplets. So, when symptomatic people continue to attend school or work, the virus spreads more easily,” he added.

Encouragingly, the Ministry’s surveillance systems, operating through dedicated sentinel sites across the country, have found no evidence of COVID-19 in the latest reports.

“At the moment, all indications point to the usual seasonal flu strains. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is reassuring,” Dr. Masunda said.

With the cold weather expected to persist, health experts recommend taking preventive actions such as staying indoors when feeling ill, practicing good cough etiquette, avoiding crowded settings when symptomatic, and consulting a health professional if symptoms become severe.

New Ziana