Zimbabwe is experiencing its annual seasonal increase in influenza cases, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said on Monday, 10 August 2026.
In a statement, the Ministry said the rise is typically seen during the winter months of June and July and is consistent with normal seasonal patterns. It said there is currently no cause for alarm.
The Ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation through the national disease surveillance system and health facilities and will continue to provide updates as necessary.
According to the Ministry, some groups are at higher risk of developing severe illness from influenza. These include young children and older persons, pregnant women, and people living with underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV, or those with weakened immunity. The Ministry advised people in these groups to seek medical attention early if they develop flu-like symptoms.
The Ministry urged members of the public to take simple preventive measures to protect themselves and others. These include washing hands regularly with soap and clean water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and keeping homes and workplaces well ventilated.
The Ministry further advised people to avoid close contact with those who are unwell and to stay at home where possible until they recover if they have flu symptoms. If they need to be in public or visit a health facility while symptomatic, they should wear a face mask to protect others.
On management of the illness, the Ministry said most people recover within a few days. It advised rest, drinking plenty of fluids, maintaining good nutrition and using paracetamol for fever or body pains as directed.
The Ministry warned that antibiotics do not treat influenza because it is caused by a virus and should only be used when prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Members of the public have been advised to seek urgent medical attention if they develop difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, chest pain, severe weakness or confusion, convulsions, signs of dehydration, or symptoms that worsen after initially improving.
For young children, the Ministry said parents and guardians should seek prompt medical attention if the child has difficulty breathing, refuses to feed or shows unusual drowsiness.
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