By Tinotenda Hove

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has raised concerns over the steady increase in snake bite cases, according to its latest disease surveillance report for the week ending April 6, 2025. The report, which also includes updates on anthrax and dog bite cases, reveals troubling trends in several districts across Zimbabwe.

A total of 167 snake bite cases were recorded during the week, bringing the cumulative total for the year to 2,193. Although no deaths were reported in the past week, the overall number of fatalities linked to snake bites has reached nine.

“Snake bites remain a serious public health concern, especially in rural communities where access to emergency treatment may be limited,” the Health Ministry noted in its report.

In addition to snake bites, two cases of anthrax were confirmed in Gokwe North and Gokwe South. These bring the total number of anthrax infections this year to 49. No deaths have been reported so far.

The report also highlights a high number of dog bite incidents, with 646 cases documented during the week. “Of the total reported, 140 people were bitten by vaccinated dogs, 136 by unvaccinated dogs, and 370 cases involved dogs with unknown vaccination status,” the ministry stated.

Midlands Province recorded the highest number of dog bite cases at 102, followed by Mashonaland Central with 86. Since the beginning of the year, the country has recorded a cumulative total of 9,218 dog bite cases, though no fatalities have occurred.

The Ministry of Health is urging communities to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, particularly during the warmer seasons when snake activity tends to rise.