Zimbabwe is grappling with a dramatic rise in malaria infections, with confirmed cases soaring by 180% during the first 17 weeks of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Health officials report 59,647 cases and 143 deaths this year — increases they call “alarming” amid shifting climate patterns and human activity.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care attributes the spike to prolonged rains and warmer temperatures creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions. Compounding the crisis, activities like artisanal mining, farming, and cross-border trade are drawing more people into mosquito-prone areas during peak biting hours. Many work in remote regions with limited healthcare access, delaying critical treatment.
“This deadly combination of environmental triggers and high-risk livelihoods is driving preventable deaths,” the ministry stated, urging residents to seek medical help within 24 hours of experiencing fever or chills. Malaria now accounts for 218% more fatalities than in 2024.
The surge comes as Southern Africa faces increasingly erratic weather patterns, raising concerns about climate-linked health threats. Public health experts warn the situation could strain Zimbabwe’s healthcare system while impacting workforce productivity in key economic sectors.
