Malaria cases in Zimbabwe have seen a significant increase this year, following reductions in U.S. aid to the nation. This surge has led to more hospitalizations and an alarming rise in fatalities.
What’s happening?
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump made substantial cuts to funding for health and scientific research, severely impacting medical support for countries like Zimbabwe.
These funding cuts particularly hindered the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme, which played a crucial role in malaria prevention and research.
Consequently, malaria-related deaths have more than tripled since 2024, jumping from 45 to 143 between January and May. By late June, reported cases were nearing 120,000, with numbers still rising as the country faces a lack of external assistance.
“The malaria situation intensified right after the funding cuts, and case numbers that were declining rebounded dramatically in 2025, hitting levels not seen since the inception of the Zento mosquito surveillance programme,” stated Professor Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University’s Malaria Institute.
Due to insufficient funding, the Zimbabwean government is struggling to provide essential control measures, like mosquito nets, to those who are most vulnerable to the disease.
“If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women aren’t accessible, lives will be lost,” an expert noted. “When the supply of test kits and primary treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will increase.”
Why is the rise in malaria cases concerning?
The Centers for Disease Control indicates that malaria is transmitted through infected mosquitoes, leading to symptoms that can range from mild headaches to severe conditions like coma and death.
While malaria cannot be directly transmitted from one person to another, those unprotected in areas where mosquitoes thrive are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
According to the World Health Organization, 94% of malaria cases occur in Africa, though outbreaks are beginning to spread more widely due to climate change affecting weather patterns and mosquito migrations.
What’s being done about malaria?
Currently, Zimbabwe is struggling to cope with the sudden funding decrease, relying on its limited resources to fill the financial void left by the U.S.
The African Union aims to reduce malaria outbreaks by 2030, but the effects of a warming planet—along with increased humidity—are exacerbating conditions that allow mosquitoes to breed unchecked, complicating these efforts.
While draining stagnant water and using mosquito repellent can offer some immediate relief, addressing the broader climate crisis is essential for preventing outbreaks in the long term.
Simple, eco-friendly changes in daily habits, like investing in energy-efficient appliances or using public transport, can contribute to larger efforts. Every little bit helps.
