Over 2 000 Children Affected by Diarrhoea

Itai Mazire

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has revealed that 2,471 children under the age of five were affected by common diarrhoea in the week ending 16 November 2025, with more than 5,000 cases recorded nationwide.

A Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending 16 November 2025 reported that, “A total of 5,933 common diarrhoea cases and six (6) deaths were reported this week.

“The deaths were reported from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (2) and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (1) in Harare Metropolitan Province, Beitbridge District (1) in Matabeleland South Province, Zvimba District (1) in Mashonaland West Province, and Gokwe South District (1) in Midlands Province.

“Of the reported cases, 2,471 (42 percent) were from children under five years of age,” it stated.

The provinces that recorded the highest number of cases were Mashonaland West (947) and Manicaland (912).

The cumulative figures for common diarrhoea are 306,489 cases and 166 deaths.

In a related matter, the Ministry’s report stated that a total of 589 malaria cases and two (2) deaths were recorded during the same period.

“The deaths were reported from Makonde District (1) in Mashonaland West Province and Chitungwiza Central Hospital (1) in Harare Metropolitan Province.

“Of the reported cases, 83 (14.1 percent) were from children under five years of age.

“The provinces that recorded the highest number of cases were Mashonaland East (187) and Manicaland (180).”

The cumulative figures for malaria are 155,409 cases and 429 deaths.