Harare, (New Ziana) – The country recorded four malaria-related deaths and more than 1,700 new infections during the first week of January 2026, according to the latest Weekly Disease Surveillance Report released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The report, which covers the period ending 4 January 2026, indicates that 1,725 new malaria cases were confirmed across the country within the week under review.
The four fatalities were recorded in Mount Darwin District in Mashonaland Central, Makonde District in Mashonaland West, as well as at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Harare Metropolitan Province.
Children remain among the most affected groups, with the Ministry noting that 191 of the reported cases involved children under the age of five, accounting for 11.1 percent of all infections recorded during the reporting period.
“Mashonaland Central Province recorded the highest number of cases at 630, followed by Manicaland Province with 456 cases as these are hotspots of transmission,” read part of the report.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care attributed the continued rise in malaria cases to the rainy season, a period traditionally associated with increased mosquito breeding and heightened transmission risk.
Health authorities have repeatedly urged communities to remain vigilant, use insecticide-treated nets, eliminate stagnant water around homes, and seek early treatment at health facilities when malaria symptoms appear.
The Ministry said it will continue to monitor the situation closely through its weekly surveillance system as part of broader efforts to reduce malaria-related illness and deaths nationwide.
New Ziana
