Malaria transmission in our country is high during the rain season where it puts approximately 67.5% of the population at risk. Transmission is from November to May and the peak transmission period is from February to May.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) uses World Health Organization (WHO) certified malaria prevention and control strategies namely indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide treated nets (ITNs), testing and treatment of malaria positive cases with efficacious medicines, Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp), Social and behaviour change (SBC), Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR), surveillance, monitoring, evaluation and operational research. To ensure that no one dies from malaria for lack of resources, it is important to note that the Ministry provides all the interventions for free and access to these interventions has remained above the WHO universal coverage mark of 85%.
Interventions coverage
Vector control
- During the 2024/2025 IRS season, all the targeted 22 high burden districts were sprayed, and 1,906,255 (87%) rooms were sprayed and protected 2,576,905 (93%) of the population.
- 881,676 Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) were distributed in 2024 to communities in 16 medium to low transmission districts attaining 100% coverage
- Currently the country is in the process of distributing 1,615,000 ITNs to cover 206 wards in 14 districts using the mass distribution strategy. However, the withdrawal of USG funding created a gap of 600,000 nets. The Government of Zimbabwe is reviewing all programme gaps created by the USG-Stop orders, in an effort to cover them and ensure that the gains made are sustained.
Case Management
- All suspected malaria cases were tested for malaria and 96% of the cases received first line treatment an
- The country has adequate malaria medicines and diagnostic kits for 2025. Prepositioning of these critical supplies to service delivery points is done before the peak period through the Provincial Medical Directors (PMDs) with support from NatPharm. Communities are encouraged to access treatment within 24 hours of symptoms to prevent progression to severe disease that may lead to death.
Morbidity and Mortality
Table 1: Comparison table for Malaria T5 Cases & deaths 2023 – 2025 (Week 1-15)
| Year | Cumulative Malaria Cases | Cumulative Malaria Deaths |
| 2023 | 43,266 | 83 |
| 2024 | 12,942 | 21 |
| 2025 | 36,423 | 85 |
Table 1 shows that cumulative malaria cases for week 1 to 15 increased by 107% from 17,539 cases in 2024 to 36,423 cases in 2025. The increase in malaria cases has been attributed to an increase in rainfall, humidity and temperature variables that significantly increase malaria transmission; as well as an increase in outdoor activities for agricultural reasons and other economic activities including artisanal mining. The Provincial and District health teams have intensified advocacy and social, and behaviour change communication to enhance involvement and participation of communities and other stakeholders in malaria control initiatives. Engagements with other ministries whose economic activities impacts malaria transmission is ongoing through the Whole of Government agenda.
Table 2: Cumulative Malaria Cases- Province percentage contribution week 1 – 15 of 2025
| Province | Malaria Cases | Percentage Contribution | Malaria Deaths | Percentage Contribution |
| Manicaland | 14,806 | 40.7 | 33 | 38.82 |
| Mash Central | 10,267 | 28.2 | 20 | 23.53 |
| Mash East | 3,326 | 9.1 | 7 | 8.24 |
| Mash West | 5,288 | 14.5 | 10 | 11.76 |
| Masvingo | 838 | 2.3 | 2 | 2.35 |
| Midlands | 954 | 2.6 | 2 | 2.35 |
| Mat North | 685 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Harare | 142 | 0.4 | 9 | 10.6 |
| Mat South | 88 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bulawayo | 29 | 0.1 | 2 | 2.35 |
| Total | 36,423 | 100 | 85 | 100 |
Table 2. above presents the 2025 cumulative malaria cases and deaths by province (week1- 15). Manicaland is the most affected province contributing 40.7% of malaria cases and 38.82% of deaths in the country followed by Mashonaland Central which contributed 28.2% cases and 24% deaths. It is important to note that the cases recorded in Bulawayo and Harare are a combination of imported cases and referrals to the tertiary hospitals for complicated cases. Children under 5 years of age account for 14% of the cases
Additional information
This is the period of high malaria transmission. We encourage everyone who experiences malaria symptoms – fever /hot body, headache, hot and cold spells (sweating, chills and shivering), joint pains and general body weakness and nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhoea, to go for testing and treatment within 24 hours of symptoms from the Village Health Worker or from the nearest health facility, to prevent progression to severe disease that can lead to death.
Signs and symptoms of severe malaria include any of the following
- very high temperature with chills and rigors
- general feeling of unwellness with joint weakness
- severe vomiting
- severe body weakness (unable to sit/stand)
- jaundice (yellow eyes)
- white palms (anaemia)
- passing very little, Coca-Cola coloured urine or not passing urine at all
Prevent malaria, prevent mosquito bites by:
- Sleeping in a sprayed house in districts that receive Indoor Residual Spraying
Sleeping under an Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) every day regardless of season in districts that received ITNs. This includes when sleeping outside.
- Wearing clothes that cover most of body when outdoors between sunset and sunrise and using mosquito repellents
- Accessing treatment early
Remember malaria is preventable and curable, but it can kill if not treated early. Please contact your nearby health facilities or VHWs for more information on preventive measures.