WINTER MALARIA SURGE LEAVES 22 DEAD ACROSS ZIMBABWE IN JUST 7 DAYS

Zimbabwe has recorded 22 malaria-related deaths in a single week, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s latest disease surveillance report. The deaths were registered in the week ending 18 May 2025, with thousands more infected across the country.

“9,733 malaria cases and 22 deaths were reported this week,” said the Ministry in a post on X.

The deaths were spread across multiple provinces, with the highest number — six fatalities — reported at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare Metropolitan Province.

Other districts affected include:

• Guruve District (3 deaths)

• Mt Darwin District (2)

• Centenary District (1) in Mashonaland Central

• Makonde (2), Chegutu (1), Hurungwe (1), and Zvimba (1) in Mashonaland West

• Murewa (1), Marondera (1), and Goromonzi (1) in Mashonaland East

• Mutare (1) and Chipinge (1) in Manicaland

Of the 9,733 cases, 1,079 (11%) involved children under the age of five, raising concerns about the vulnerability of young children to malaria even in the cooler months.

“The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Mashonaland Central with 4,172 cases and Mashonaland West with 1,901,” the Ministry posted on May 29.

The cumulative figure since the start of the year now stands at 82,940 malaria cases and 275 deaths.Concern over winter spike

The malaria outbreak comes at a surprising time — deep into Zimbabwe’s winter season. Many have taken to social media expressing shock.

“22 deaths in a week is a huge number,” wrote one user.

“Malaria in winter, it’s scary. Someone is not doing his job well,” another posted.

“Gadzirisai apa,” a third urged, which translates to “Fix this.”

Others questioned the absence of reported cases in Matabeleland North, suggesting it may be faring better or under-reporting.

The Ministry has yet to publicly respond to growing public concern over winter outbreaks and the high death toll. *_-iHarare_*