Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu Health and Gender Editor
145 people have died from Malaria in the first 17 weeks of the year, with close to 60 000 cases having been reported within the same period, a worrying trend as it is an increase from the previous year, during the same period.
The Ministry, however, hastened to remind the public that the country is in the high Malaria transmission period. Anyone experiencing Malaria symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, headaches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea is urged to seek testing and treatment within 24 hours from their nearest health facility or Village Health Worker.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care said they are deeply concerned about the sharp rise in Malaria cases and deaths across the country in 2025 and also highlighted key drivers.
“From Week 1 to Week 17, cumulative Malaria cases have increased by 180 percent, rising from 21,309 in 2024 to 59,647 in 2025. Malaria-related deaths have also increased by 218 percent, from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025.
“This increase is being driven by a combination of environmental and behavioral factors. Increased rainfall, humidity and temperatures have created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. At the same time, more people are engaging in outdoor activities such as artisanal mining, farming, tobacco curing and cross-border trading, particularly during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Many of these activities take place in remote areas where access to health services is limited, leading to delays in treatment and an increase in fatalities,” they said in a statement.
