ZIMBABWE has recorded over 20 000 malaria cases and 44 deaths in the past weeks, according to statistics from the Health and Child Care ministry.

According to the ministry’s Disease Surveillance report for the week ending April 28, Mashonaland Central is the worst affected province contributing 50,9% of reported cases and 28,2% deaths.

“The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Mashonaland Central province (792) and Mashonaland West province (415). The cumulative figures for malaria cases are 21 298 and 44 deaths,” the report read in part.

“[Some] 1 841 malaria cases and seven deaths were reported this week. 162 of the reported cases were from under five years of age. The deaths were reported from Masvingo province, Mashonaland West province, and Mashonaland Central province.”

The ministry said it was undertaking several initiatives which included indoor residual spraying to prevent more deaths.

The World Health Organisation views malaria as a major public health problem affecting all age-groups in the country.

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Executive director at Community Working Group on Health Itai Rusike said climate change and increasing resistance to insecticides was hindering the fight against malaria.

“Nearly half the world’s population is at risk for malaria,” Rusike said in a statement.

“By harnessing the power of the existing tools to fight malaria and ensuring equitable access to game-changing innovations, we can prevent infections and deaths and get closer to ending malaria by 2030.”

Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe president Johannes Marisa urged the government to intensify awareness campaigns on the disease.

“People should know malaria is still a menace and can complicate easily if not attended to early, renal failure, anaemia, cerebral malaria or even death can result,” Marisa said.

“Let people try to destroy mosquito breeding sites, let us avoid mosquito bites and we improve on diagnostics and treatment.”

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by a certain type of mosquito.