In the latest Disease Surveillance Report released by the Ministry of Health and Childcare, alarming numbers of malaria cases and deaths have been reported for the week ending April 28, 2024.
The report reveals a total of 1,841 malaria cases and 7 deaths, painting a grim picture of the current situation. Among the reported cases, a concerning 162 were children under the age of five, this highlights the particular vulnerability of young children to malaria.
The report reads as follows: “Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending 28 April 2024. 1 841 malaria cases and 7 deaths were reported this week. 162 of the reported cases were from under five years of age. These deaths were reported from Masvingo District (2) in Masvingo Province, Hurungwe District (1) and Makonde District(1) in Mashonaland West Province, Mazowe District (1), Guruve District(1), Mount Darwin District (1) in Mashonaland Central Province.”
Mashonaland Central Province and Mashonaland West Province reported the highest number of cases, with 792 and 415 cases respectively, according to the health ministry.
The cumulative figures provided in the report reveal that a total of 21,298 malaria cases and 44 deaths have been recorded thus far.