The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has released its Weekly Disease Report for the week ending 26 October 2025, showing a continued high prevalence of communicable diseases across Zimbabwe.
During the week, 8,432 cases of common diarrhoea were reported, with no deaths. Children under five accounted for nearly half of these cases, totalling 3,792. Mashonaland West and Manicaland recorded the highest numbers, with 1,481 and 1,183 cases, respectively. Cumulatively, Zimbabwe has recorded 285,035 cases of common diarrhoea and 157 deaths.
Malaria remains a major concern, with 1,194 cases reported and two deaths recorded during the week. The fatalities occurred in Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central, and Nyanga District in Manicaland. Children under five made up 178 (14.9%) of the weekly cases, while Mashonaland Central and Manicaland reported the highest numbers, with 349 and 295 cases respectively. Since the beginning of the year, Zimbabwe has recorded 152,950 malaria cases and 420 deaths.
Six cases of anthrax were reported during the week, all from Midlands Province, five from Gokwe North District and one from Gokwe South District, with no deaths. The cumulative number of anthrax cases remains at 153, with no fatalities reported.
Dog bite incidents continue to pose a public health risk, with 602 cases reported this week, including one death in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South. Of the reported cases, 102 were caused by vaccinated dogs, 124 by unvaccinated dogs, and 376 by dogs of unknown vaccination status. Midlands and Mashonaland West provinces reported the highest numbers, with 90 and 89 cases respectively. Overall, dog bites have resulted in 22,953 cases and three deaths to date.
Suspected influenza cases remain high, with 5,102 reported this week and no deaths. Manicaland and Mashonaland West recorded the highest numbers, with 1,806 and 1,424 cases respectively. The cumulative figures for influenza now stand at 292,518 cases and seven deaths nationwide.
Dysentery also continues to affect communities, with 397 cases reported during the week and no deaths. Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central recorded the highest numbers, with 80 and 76 cases respectively. Since the start of the year, Zimbabwe has recorded 14,147 dysentery cases and five deaths.
