Malaria surge in Southern Africa sparks alarm: Zimbabwe among worst hit

Southern Africa is facing a troubling resurgence of malaria, with Zimbabwe, Botswana, eSwatini, and Namibia reporting fresh outbreaks, according to a new report by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The report highlights a dramatic spike in Zimbabwe, where suspected malaria cases surged to 111,998 with 310 deaths by epidemiological week 23 of 2025 - up from 29,031 cases and 49 deaths during the same period in 2024. Mashonaland Central Province alone accounts for 32% of all cases, while Manicaland has recorded 25% of the deaths.

"This surge is no coincidence," said Dr Memory Mapfumo, an Africa CDC epidemiologist. "Prolonged rains, gold panning, fishing, and artisanal mining are exposing more people to mosquito bites during peak activity hours."

The report warns that 115 of Zimbabwe's 1,705 health facilities have been affected, straining an already fragile healthcare system. Low usage of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and poor access to preventive measures are compounding the crisis.

Africa CDC's Surveillance and Disease Intelligence head, Merawi Aragaw, linked the rise in cases to climate change, which is expanding mosquito habitats into previously unaffected regions. He called for coordinated international efforts, including environmental management, surveillance, and cross-border collaboration.

Globally, malaria cases rose to 263 million in 2023, with Africa accounting for 95% of all malaria-related deaths. Despite this, there have been notable successes: Cabo Verde was declared malaria-free in 2023, and Egypt is on track to follow in 2024.

Still, for many southern African nations, the path to elimination remains steep, with outbreaks threatening to undo years of progress.