Two die of diarrhoea as influenza and malaria cases rise

HARARE – Two people died from common diarrhoea last month, bringing the cumulative death toll for the year to 162, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has reported. The fatalities were recorded at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare and Chegutu District in Mashonaland West.

The weekly disease surveillance report, ending 17 November, noted 7,335 diarrhoea cases, with 41.5% of the infections occurring in children under five. Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces reported the highest case numbers at 1,228 and 1,118, respectively.

Other notable disease statistics for the week include 432 dysentery cases, 3,286 suspected influenza cases, and 357 malaria cases, none of which resulted in fatalities. The report also recorded 674 dog bite incidents, primarily from Mashonaland East and Masvingo provinces.

Cumulatively, Zimbabwe has recorded 321,837 diarrhoea cases, 291,731 influenza cases, and 38,718 malaria cases this year, reflecting a significant public health burden.