Zimbabwe faces a disturbing explosion in malaria cases in 2025, with almost four times more infected with last year, according to recent data from the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
As of June 30, 2025, Zimbabwe listed 111,998 suspicious cases of malaria and 310 deaths, against 29,031 cases and 49 dead in the same period in 2024, the Africa CDC announced on Friday.
This high increase is attributed to several factors: prolonged precipitation promoting the reproduction of mosquitoes, insufficient coverage in mosquito nets imbued with insecticide, as well as an increase in activities exposing populations, such as gold panning, fishing and artisanal mining.
« This epidemic is not the result of chance “Explains Memory Mapfumo, epidemiologist at the Africa CDC.
« The abundant rains have created ideal conditions for mosquitoes, and many livelihoods force populations to be active during periods of strong transmission“He explains
The epidemic now affects 115 of the country’s 1,705 health centers, aggravating pressure on an already weakened health system.
The province of the central mailaland alone concentrates 32 % of cases, while Manicaland records 25 % of deaths related to the disease.
But the situation extends beyond the Zimbabwean borders: several southern African countries are experiencing similar progression. Botswana reported a multiplication by ten cases with 2,223 infections and 11 deaths, mainly around the Okavango region. Namibia counts 89,959 cases and 146 deaths, of which almost a fifth would be imported from neighboring countries. In Eswatini, however in the elimination phase, 187 cases were recorded, mainly affecting children and farmers.
Specialists point to the growing role of climate change, cross -border circulation of parasite and inequalities in access to care in the expansion of malaria in southern Africa.
« Global warming modifies temperature and rain plans, expanding risk areas, including in regions formerly spared », Alert Merawi Aragaw, Health surveillance in the Africa CDC.
He recalls that the fight against malaria goes beyond the regional framework: ” It is a global issue. We must strengthen international coordination to deal with it. »»
Among the priorities mentioned: sustainable anti -firm control actions, better epidemiological surveillance, monitoring resistance to treatments, and increased cooperation between neighboring countries.
« Without a quick and concerted response, malaria could become one of the main causes of death in Africa again “, He warned.
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