Anticipation of disease outbreak in Zimbabwe - Alert 1046

In early 2026, Zimbabwe is experiencing an increased risk of waterborne disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and other diarrhoeal diseases. This situation has arisen due to La Niña-induced heavy rainfall and flooding, compounded by longstanding deficiencies in the country’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. By late January, the combination of rainfall patterns, early signs of waterlogging, and historical data on flood-related diseases indicated a significant likelihood of outbreaks, particularly between February and March 2026. In response to these concerns, the Meteorological Department issued an alert, prompting the Start Fund to raise an anticipatory alert on January 25, which led to partnerships with four member agencies to address the impending health crisis.

Read More