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IDSR Epidemiological Bulletin – Week 46.

Malawi IDSR Infographic (Week 46, 2025)

Editorial Team

Dr. Matthews Kagoli • Mrs. Mtisunge Yelewa • Mr. Austin Zgambo • Mr. Sikhona Chipeta • Mr. James Jere • Mr. Noel Khunga

Weekly IDSR Bulletin

Epidemiological Week 46 (10-16 November, 2025)

Published By

Moses Nyambalo Phiri

Public Health Institute of Malawi

National Surveillance Performance

The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system continues to perform strongly. In Week 46, reporting completeness reached 94.8%. However, Central Hospitals significantly underperformed at 50%, highlighting a critical need for data integration support at tertiary facilities.

Reporting Completeness
94.8%
+0.4% vs Week 45
Reporting Timeliness
91.9%
-2.4% vs Week 45
Performance Analysis The Central West zone achieved near-perfect scores (99.4% completeness), while the North Zone maintained high standards (98.0%). The drop in timeliness suggests potential logistical or connectivity challenges in specific districts that need addressing.

Priority Disease Alerts

Malaria remains the highest burden (20,796 cases, 16 deaths). Notably, Rabies alerts saw a significant rise to 11 suspected cases this week.

Alert Insights Diarrhoea with blood cases slightly decreased to 1,077 but remain high. SARI cases increased to 65 with 4 deaths, reinforcing the need for respiratory surveillance. Meningitis cases also rose slightly to 7.

Outbreak Spotlight: Mpox

Surveillance remains active with 3 new confirmed cases and 40 suspected alerts in Week 46. The cumulative confirmed total is now 139.

Epidemic Curve

Trend Analysis While the major wave has subsided, the occurrence of 3 new cases indicates persistent low-level transmission. Continued vigilance and contact tracing are essential to prevent a resurgence.

Demographic Impact

Recovery Status 131 cases (94.2%) have successfully recovered. Currently, active management involves isolating confirmed cases to break chains of transmission.

Outbreak Spotlight: Measles

Measles outbreaks are evolving. While Balaka remains the epicenter, Machinga and Nsanje have seen increases in case numbers (24 and 22 respectively). Total cases: 126.

Geographic Clusters

Hotspots The rise in cases in Nsanje (22) and Machinga (24) signals widening local transmission in the Southern region, requiring intensified vaccination campaigns.

Vaccination Status

Data Gap The majority of cases still have unknown vaccination status. Strengthening routine immunization data capture is critical for outbreak analysis.

Event-Based Surveillance (EBS)

39 signals were reported this week. The risk profile has diversified, now identifying events classified as Very High Risk (2) and Very Low Risk (1).

1

Detection

39 signals reported (Decrease from 49 in Wk 45).

2

Verification

9 signals (23.1%) verified as genuine public health events.

3

Response

2 Very High Risk events identified requiring urgent intervention.

Risk Profile Breakdown

Signal Triage 30 signals (77%) remain unclassified. The presence of “Very High” risk signals emphasizes the importance of the verification process.
Download Official Bulletin (PDF)

© 2025 Public Health Institute of Malawi. All Rights Reserved.

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