Deadly malaria outbreak hits Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is currently grappling with a deadly malaria outbreak, with a recent report from an international organisation warning that the country's ability to contain fatalities has been severely hampered by the collapse of its health delivery system and the withdrawal of donor aid.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care's disease surveillance report for the week ending May 11, 2025, malaria has claimed 253 lives out of 73,207 confirmed cases nationwide. In just one week alone, 33 deaths and 11,030 new cases were recorded. Mashonaland West province has emerged as the hardest hit, with 47 confirmed deaths and an overall case fatality rate of 0.33% as of May 2.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released a report highlighting how the surge in malaria cases is placing immense pressure on healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas where resources are already scarce. The influx of patients has stretched medical staff and diverted attention and resources away from other vital health services such as maternal and child health programmes, immunisations, and chronic disease management.

The outbreak's ripple effects extend beyond healthcare. Increased absenteeism among working adults and schoolchildren is negatively impacting productivity and academic performance, potentially affecting long-term educational outcomes. Additionally, the community's mental well-being has suffered as anxiety over the disease and concerns about treatment availability rise.

"Clinics and hospitals have faced increased patient loads, leading to potential shortages in medical supplies and staff fatigue," the IFRC report states. It further notes that this focus on malaria management has compromised other essential health services, deepening the strain on Zimbabwe's fragile healthcare system.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt of the global malaria burden, accounting for approximately 95% of all cases worldwide as of 2020. Malaria infections can range from uncomplicated cases to severe, life-threatening illness.

In Zimbabwe, the IFRC underscores the psychological toll the outbreak is having on communities, especially in heavily affected areas. "Fear of contracting the disease and concerns about the availability of treatment have impacted mental well-being," the organisation said.

The surge in cases this year has surpassed the seasonal threshold, driving up morbidity and mortality rates. In Mashonaland West province, the malaria incidence rate jumped sharply from 1.54 per 1,000 population between weeks 1-18 in 2024 to 7.66 per 1,000 during the same period in 2025. This nearly fivefold increase suggests significant gaps in prevention efforts such as insecticide-treated net (ITN) coverage, case management, vector control, and surveillance.

"The peak of the outbreak observed since April continues to pose a concern," the IFRC said. It attributed the worsening transmission to La Niña-induced rains, poor ITN coverage, and high exposure in farming and mining zones, which have created ideal conditions for malaria spread.

Persistent hotspots and ongoing new cases indicate that the outbreak remained uncontrolled as of early May, particularly in districts like Hurungwe, Makonde, and Sanyati, where vector control is weak and late treatment-seeking behaviour persists.

The Ministry of Health has launched programmes targeting the most vulnerable populations, focusing on three districts with the highest malaria case loads. However, the fight is complicated by reduced international support. Zimbabwe had long benefited from assistance provided by the United States through USAID and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which helped reduce malaria incidence by 40% over the past 15 years.

This support was suspended early in 2025, partly due to the US administration's America First policy. The government revealed last month that the funding withdrawal has resulted in a shortfall of 600,000 mosquito nets, threatening the continuity of prevention programmes.

Compounding the crisis, Mashonaland West is also battling a cholera outbreak that began in November 2024 in the Kariba district, further straining health resources.

As Zimbabwe contends with these intersecting health emergencies, experts stress urgent, coordinated intervention is crucial to prevent further loss of life and to stabilize the country's fragile healthcare system.