Snake Bite Toll Hits 3,018 With 10 Deaths Reported

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe continues to grapple with a range of public health challenges, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending 6 July 2025. The latest figures reveal thousands of new cases across several communicable diseases, with some resulting in fatalities.

Snake and Dog Bites Still a Threat

Snake bites remain a consistent danger, with 39 cases recorded this week and one death reported in Chegutu District, Mashonaland West. This brings the total number of snakebite cases for 2025 to 3,018, with 10 deaths so far.

Dog bites were also widely reported, totaling 456 cases this week. Though there were no deaths, 95 of the bites came from unvaccinated dogs, 88 from vaccinated dogs, and 273 from animals whose vaccination status could not be confirmed. Midlands and Masvingo provinces led with 77 and 66 cases, respectively. Cumulatively, dog bites for the year now stand at 15,771.

Flu and Diarrhoea Driving Upcase Numbers

Suspected influenza cases continue to rise, with 141 new reports and one death in Marondera District, Mashonaland East. Mashonaland West and Manicaland recorded the highest regional numbers—7,833 and 4,130, respectively. Since January, Zimbabwe has recorded a total of 166,477 suspected flu cases and one death.

Diarrhoea remains one of the most prevalent illnesses, with 5,029 new cases reported this week. Tragically, seven deaths were linked to the illness, with fatalities reported in Kwekwe District (3), Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, United Bulawayo Hospitals, and Chivi District.

Children under five accounted for 1,845 of the week’s cases. So far this year, 165,952 diarrhoea cases and 86 deaths have been documented.

Malaria continues to be one of the most deadly diseases tracked in the report. There were 3,015 new cases and four deaths this week, affecting both urban hospitals and rural districts such as Gwanda and Mberengwa. Children under five made up 385 of the new cases. The highest regional burden was in Mashonaland Central (1,728 cases). To date, the country has logged 126,254 malaria cases and 343 deaths.

On a brighter note, there were no new suspected cholera cases or deaths this week. Zimbabwe’s total remains at 544 suspected cases, 84 of which are confirmed. The death toll from cholera stands at 23 (10 suspected and 13 confirmed).

Typhoid, too, appears to be under control, with just one suspected case reported this week and no fatalities. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 70 suspected cases and no deaths.