The Ministry of Health and Child Care has released its weekly disease surveillance report for the week ending 5 October 2025, highlighting significant cases of influenza, malaria, and other infectious diseases across the country.
Influenza continues to affect thousands, with 5 220 suspected cases reported this week, including two deaths at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare Metropolitan Province. Manicaland and Mashonaland West recorded the highest number of suspected cases, with 1 884 and 1 556 cases respectively. The cumulative figures for influenza now stand at 276 054 cases and six deaths nationwide.
Dysentery remains a concern, with 357 new cases and one death reported. Mashonaland West led with 77 cases, followed by Mashonaland Central and Manicaland, each reporting 55 cases. Since the start of the year, Zimbabwe has recorded a total of 12 979 dysentery cases and five deaths.
Malaria continues to pose a serious public health challenge, with 3 021 new cases and 12 deaths reported this week. Fatalities were recorded in Harare Metropolitan Province, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, and Matabeleland South. Notably, 363 of the new malaria cases involved children under five years old. The highest number of cases came from Mashonaland East (1 202) and Mashonaland Central (895). The cumulative malaria toll now stands at 147 556 cases and 401 deaths.
Common diarrhoea cases also remain high, with 9 261 cases reported this week, half of which involved children under five. Mashonaland West (1 679) and Mashonaland Central (1 360) reported the highest numbers. Since the beginning of the year, common diarrhoea has affected 257 714 people and caused 152 deaths.
Anthrax remains limited, with eight cases reported this week from Gokwe North District in Midlands Province and no deaths. Cumulatively, Zimbabwe has recorded 125 anthrax cases this year with zero fatalities.
Dog bites continue to be reported across the country, with 553 new cases this week. Of these, 103 were bitten by vaccinated dogs, 96 by unvaccinated dogs, and 354 by dogs of unknown vaccination status. Masvingo and Manicaland provinces reported the highest number of cases, with 80 and 79 respectively. There have been no deaths linked to dog bites this year, with the cumulative total standing at 21 201 cases.
