The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s latest Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending 6 July 2025 paints a concerning picture of the country’s public health burden, with thousands of cases recorded across various communicable diseases and multiple deaths reported.
Snake bites remain a persistent threat, with 39 cases and one death recorded this week. The death occurred in Chegutu District, Mashonaland West Province. This brings the cumulative total for the year to 3,018 snakebite cases and 10 deaths.
Suspected influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, continues to affect large numbers of people. This week alone, 141 suspected cases and one death were reported, with the fatality coming from Marondera District in Mashonaland East. Mashonaland West and Manicaland reported the highest number of suspected cases with 7,833 and 4,130 respectively. Cumulatively, influenza cases now stand at 166,477 with one recorded death.
Dog bites also remain a significant concern. A total of 456 cases were reported this week, though no deaths occurred. Of these, 88 people were bitten by vaccinated dogs, 95 by unvaccinated dogs, and 273 by dogs of unknown vaccination status. Midlands Province and Masvingo Province had the highest number of reported cases at 77 and 66 respectively. The cumulative total for dog bites this year stands at 15,771, with no deaths recorded.
Common diarrhoea cases remain high, with 5,029 reported this week and seven associated deaths. The fatalities occurred in Kwekwe District (3), Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (1), Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (1), United Bulawayo Hospitals (1), and Chivi District (1). Of the reported cases, 1,845 involved children under the age of five. The most affected provinces were Mashonaland West (812 cases) and Manicaland (707). So far this year, there have been 165,952 reported diarrhoea cases and 86 deaths.
On a more positive note, no new suspected cholera cases or deaths were reported this week. To date, the country has recorded 544 suspected cholera cases, including 84 confirmed cases, along with 10 suspected and 13 confirmed deaths.
Malaria continues to exert a heavy toll, with 3,015 new cases and four deaths recorded this week. The fatalities occurred in Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Bindura District, Gwanda District, and Mberengwa District. Among the reported cases, 385 involved children under five years old. The highest number of malaria cases were reported in Mashonaland Central (1,728 cases) and Mashonaland East (42 cases). The cumulative figures for malaria stand at 126,254 cases and 343 deaths.
Typhoid remained relatively contained this week, with only one suspected case reported and no deaths. The cumulative number of suspected typhoid cases is now 70, with zero fatalities to date.
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