Zimbabwe Strengthens Response to Snake Bites and Rabies – Mombeshora

Zimbabwe’s health ministry says anti-venom and rabies vaccines are being distributed to high-risk districts as part of a national disease control strategy

Douglas Mombeshora, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, says the government is strengthening efforts to address deaths caused by snake bites and rabies, particularly in rural, border, and forested areas where the risks remain highest. Responding to questions from legislators in Parliament on Tuesday, Mombeshora said both conditions have been prioritised under the country’s national health strategy because they disproportionately affect rural communities.

“Both snake bites and rabies are classified as neglected tropical diseases,” he told Parliament. “They disproportionately affect our rural populations, and the Minister of Health and Child Care has placed them firmly on the National Health Agenda through the Neglected Tropical Disease Master Plan for 2023 to 2027.”

The strategy forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader plan to reduce preventable deaths linked to neglected tropical diseases.

Anti-Venom and Rabies Vaccine Distribution

Mombeshora said authorities have taken steps to ensure that anti-venom supplies are available nationwide through the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NatPharm) and other health facilities. He added that health centres in high-risk areas are also stocked with rabies vaccines to ensure rapid treatment for people exposed to infected animals.

“Regarding the rabies vaccine, our facilities in endemic areas hold stocks which enable prompt intervention when a patient reports to a facility,” Mombeshora said. “Treatment must be initiated as soon as possible after exposure to be effective.”

Snake Bite Cases Rising in Several Districts

According to the minister, snake bites remain a public health concern in several districts across Zimbabwe. A total of 1,513 snake bite cases have been recorded so far in 2026. Some of the districts with the highest reported cases include:

• Hurungwe District – 64 cases

• Zvimba District – 61 cases

• Makonde District – 46 cases

• Buhera District – 43 cases

• Bikita District – 39 cases

“These are among the highest burden districts. These are the areas where we have intensified our anti-venom distribution and pre-positioning efforts,” Mombeshora said.

Rabies Cases and Human Deaths

On rabies, Mombeshora told Parliament that Zimbabwe recorded 331 dog rabies cases and 17 human deaths between 2022 and October 2024. The highest number of animal rabies cases was recorded in Manicaland Province with 126 cases. Other affected provinces include:

• Mashonaland East Province – 50 cases

• Masvingo Province – 44 cases

• Mashonaland Central Province – 34 cases

• Mashonaland West Province – 28 cases

• Midlands Province – 20 cases

• Matabeleland South Province – 13 cases

• Matabeleland North Province – 12 cases

Meanwhile, Harare recorded four cases while Bulawayo reported none during the period.

Health authorities say strengthening surveillance, improving vaccine availability, and increasing community awareness will be key to reducing deaths from both conditions.

snake bites; rabies cases Zimbabwe; Douglas Mombeshora