The Ministry of Health and Child Care has raised concern over a surge in common diarrhoea cases, with more than 9,200 infections recorded nationwide during the week ending 5 October 2025.
According to the latest Weekly Disease Surveillance Report, at least half of the reported diarrhoea cases involved children under the age of five. Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces were the most affected, recording 1,679 and 1,360 cases respectively.
Since January, the country has recorded 257,714 diarrhoea cases and 152 related deaths.
Influenza infections also continue to rise, with 5,220 suspected cases and two deaths reported during the same week. The fatalities occurred at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.
Manicaland and Mashonaland West provinces led with 1,884 and 1,556 cases respectively. This brings the cumulative number of influenza cases to 276,054 and six deaths so far this year.
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Malaria remains a major public health challenge, with 3,021 new cases and 12 deaths recorded in the past week. The report shows that 363 of the new infections were among children under five years old. The highest numbers were reported in Mashonaland East (1,202) and Mashonaland Central (895). The total malaria burden now stands at 147,556 cases and 401 deaths this year.
Meanwhile, dysentery cases continue to be reported, with 357 new cases and one death recorded. Mashonaland West registered the highest number (77), followed by Mashonaland Central and Manicaland, which both had 55 cases each. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 12,979 dysentery cases and five deaths in 2025.
The Ministry also noted eight anthrax cases in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province, but no deaths were recorded. Zimbabwe’s total anthrax cases for the year stand at 125.
Dog bites were another concern, with 553 new cases reported across the country. Of these, 103 were from vaccinated dogs, 96 from unvaccinated dogs, and 354 from dogs with unknown vaccination status. Masvingo and Manicaland reported the highest figures with 80 and 79 cases respectively.
The cumulative total for dog bites this year is now 21,201, with no deaths reported.
Health officials continue to urge citizens to maintain hygiene standards, seek medical attention early, and ensure domestic animals are vaccinated to curb the spread of preventable diseases.
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