Harare, (New Ziana) — Zimbabwe has recorded a surge in several diseases, with malaria, common diarrhoea, and influenza topping the list of reported cases for the week ending 2 November 2025, according to the latest Weekly Disease Surveillance Report by the Ministry of Health and Childcare.

A total of 1 074 malaria cases and three deaths were reported nationwide, with fatalities being recorded in Makoni and Chimanimani districts in Manicaland Province, as well as Mount Darwin in Mashonaland Central.

Children under five accounted for 125 cases (11.6 percent). Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central reported the highest case burdens with 407 and 283 cases respectively. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 154 024 malaria cases and 423 deaths this year, the Ministry said.

Common diarrhoea cases were also high, with 8 236 cases reported during the week, though no deaths were recorded with nearly half of the cases — 3 833 (47 percent) being children under five, underscoring vulnerability of the young populations. Mashonaland West recorded 1 442 cases, the highest this week, followed by Manicaland with 1 213. Since the beginning of the year, Zimbabwe has registered 293 271 diarrhoea cases and 157 deaths.

Meanwhile, 17 anthrax cases were reported, all without fatalities with most detected in the Midlands Province, 12 in Gokwe North and 3 in Gokwe South, while Zaka in Masvingo Province recorded two cases.

The country also recorded 390 dysentery cases with no associated deaths. Mashonaland West (84) and Manicaland (80) contributed the highest numbers.
Dog bites remained a significant public health concern, with 655 cases reported this week. Of these, 138 (21 percent) involved vaccinated dogs, 112 (17 percent) unvaccinated dogs, while 404 (62 percent) were from dogs of unknown vaccination status. Midlands (106) and Mashonaland West (105) topped the list of affected provinces.

Suspected influenza cases also surged, with 5 118 recorded nationwide. Manicaland reported an unusually high figure of 1 547 cases, followed closely by Mashonaland West with 1 449.

The report confirmed zero Mpox cases for the week, and the national cumulative figure remains at zero.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to seek early treatment, maintain hygiene standards, and adhere to preventive measures to reduce transmission of these diseases.

New Ziana