Malaria Resurgence: Zimbabwe Faces a New Public Health Threat

The Malaria Cases have increased dramatically

As the sun sets over the bustling cities and rural landscapes of Zimbabwe, an old adversary is making an alarming comeback. Malaria, a disease many hoped would soon be history, is surging at rates unseen in recent years. Residents are urged to exercise caution, and authorities face a pivotal moment to demonstrate leadership and resilience in the face of escalating danger.

A Crisis Unfolding The numbers are stark and unsettling. By mid-2025, Zimbabwe reported a dramatic increase in malaria cases, with over 36,000 infections and 85 deaths between January and April alone—a 107% increase on the same period in 2024. Elsewhere, data suggest an even larger year-on-year leap, nearing 60,000 cases—a staggering 180% hike compared to the previous tally. For communities already navigating economic and environmental uncertainty, the resurgence of this preventable yet deadly disease is a grave blow. The burden is not distributed evenly. Manicaland and Mashonaland Central, rich in farmlands and vital for Zimbabwe’s food production, now account for almost 70% of the cases and deaths nationally. Children under five—whose immune systems are least prepared—make up a worrying 14% of infected individuals.

Why the Sudden Surge? Zimbabwe’s malaria story is closely tied to the rains. When the November-to-May wet season arrives, stagnant water and lush vegetation create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially in the country’s valleys and along the Zambezi River and Lake Victoria. Analysts say the upsurge is linked to issues such as increased rainfall and higher temperatures that have lengthened the mosquito breeding season. Rising economic activity, including artisanal mining and agriculture, is forcing more people to stay outdoors during dawn and dusk—the peak mosquito biting times.

Additionally, there has been a noticeable decline in international funding. Aid cuts, particularly from the U.S. government, have resulted in the distribution of 600,000 fewer insecticide-treated nets. Health workers say many communities in remote areas face delayed access to diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of severe cases and death. The cost of inaction is measured in lost lives and shattered communities. Already, Zimbabweans are seeing decades of progress against malaria eroded. Health officials warn that further climate change, unchecked mining, and informal trading could drive numbers even higher. Hospitals are stretched. Many families suffer both grief and financial hardship as breadwinners fall ill or young children miss school.

What You Should Know and Do Malaria symptoms include fever and chills, severe sweating, headache and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhoea, weakness, and confusion. Any individual experiencing these symptoms—especially after mosquito exposure—must seek immediate medical care. Delaying treatment can be fatal: malaria can rapidly advance to severe anaemia, organ failure, and death, particularly in vulnerable groups like young children and pregnant women.