The national reporting performance for Epidemiological Week 24 has reached a solid 94.0% for completeness, while maintaining timeliness at 93.0% on the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP). This performance reflects active data engagement across the majority of health structures in the territory. However, a slight national completeness decrease of 2.0 percentage points was noted relative to Week 23, signaling localized administrative delays in key zones. Reassuringly, 29 out of the 33 designated national reporting sites (88.0%) met the targeted minimum threshold of >= 80% for both reporting metrics in this cycle, protecting overall surveillance sensitivity during active infectious clusters.

At the subnational level, reporting metrics display diverse progress. All health zones except Central Hospitals successfully achieved target milestones, with the South West Zone setting the pace (98.4% completeness, 98.9% timeliness). Conversely, Central Hospitals experienced a disappointing drop, registering only 75.0% for both completeness and timeliness. This represents a substantial regression from their historical 100% baseline. At the district level, administrative friction persists: Zomba DHO (58.0% completeness, 56.0% timeliness), Balaka DHO (72.0% completeness, 72.0% timeliness), and Mzuzu Central Hospital (0% on both metrics) failed to met target thresholds. Additionally, Karonga DHO (83.0% completeness, 74.0% timeliness) failed to meet the minimum target for timeliness.

To restore national tracking uniformity and secure prompt alert validation, the National IDSR Secretariat directs immediate remedial measures. District Health Officers in Zomba, Balaka, and the management of Mzuzu Central Hospital must execute rapid administrative interventions to eliminate processing backlogs. Zonal Epidemiology Officers and IDSR coordinators are requested to assist underperforming clinical points immediately after form deadlines to optimize platform responsiveness, with Karonga DHO directed to focus specifically on improving timeliness.

Malaria remains the dominant priority condition under active surveillance in Malawi, with Epidemiological Week 24 recording a substantial caseload of 25,225 cases (24,857 OPD and 368 IPD) along with 10 associated inpatient deaths. This heavy morbidity load indicates persistent vector transmission across multiple zones, keeping constant pressure on primary clinical facilities and essential antimalarial stocks. High-burden districts continue to represent key transmission hot spots requiring close monitoring: Blantyre (2,953 cases), Mangochi (2,309 cases), Chikwawa (2,254 cases), Lilongwe (1,626 cases), Mulanje (1,461 cases), and Salima (1,066 cases).

When contrasted with the preceding baseline in Epidemiological Week 23, the malaria data reveals a highly positive decrease of 16.8% in weekly cases (dropping from 30,305 down to 25,225). However, weekly confirmed inpatient deaths rose from 1 to 10. This surge in clinical mortality highlights critical gaps in clinical care timing, late presentation at the facility level, or delayed therapeutic initiation in severe pediatric cases across high-burden catchments. Vector management remains crucial to offset seasonal breeding dynamics.

To suppress active transmission and prevent further fatal clinical outcomes, the National Malaria Control Program must coordinate immediate antimalarial supply chain audits to guarantee uninterrupted buffer stocks of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Clinical supervisors must conduct rigorous mortality audits on all 10 deaths to resolve therapeutic timing bottlenecks. Concurrently, Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) should scale up risk communication campaigns highlighting immediate care-seeking behaviors for febrile illnesses.

The surveillance of waterborne enteric pathogens in Epidemiological Week 24 has flagged a significant clinical concern, with Typhoid fever cases recorded at 108 (96 OPD and 12 IPD) and Bloody Diarrhoea cases totaling 671. Enteric disease transmission remains a persistent threat, highlighted by the recent acute enteric illness outbreak in Nkhata Bay (Usisya Health Facility, T/A Mbwana). The investigation previously identified risk factors including unsafe water sources, poor sanitation and hygiene, delayed healthcare-seeking, and reliance on traditional medicine.

When compared to the baseline figures from Epidemiological Week 23, the national Typhoid caseload nearly doubled, experiencing an 92.9% surge from 56 cases to 108 cases. Conversely, Bloody Diarrhoea cases remained stable with a minor 0.6% increase, moving from 667 cases to 671 cases. In Nkhata Bay, the outbreak is currently stabilizing: 20 new diarrhoea cases were reported in Week 24 with 0 bloody cases. This brings the cumulative total to 185 cases (26 bloody diarrhoea) and 6 suspected deaths. The last reported case was recorded on 2 June 2026, and the last death on 25 May 2026.

Based on these findings, we recommend that Blantyre, Mchinji, Dedza, and Kasungu DHOs deploy rapid response teams to conduct systematic water quality monitoring and food safety inspections to contain Typhoid clusters. For the Nkhata Bay outbreak, continuing active surveillance, risk communication, water safety interventions, and hygiene monitoring in Usisya remains essential. Stool and blood cultures must be systematically collected to monitor antimicrobial resistance patterns and guide precise therapy, while municipal authorities must prioritize water safety in hard-to-reach areas.

Epidemiological Week 24 recorded 42 new suspected Cholera cases with zero (0) confirmed cases and zero (0) deaths, reflecting strong case management inside established Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs). On the zoonotic disease front, Mpox surveillance detected zero (0) new confirmed cases and zero (0) alerts. This keeps the cumulative national total stable at 158 confirmed cases and 4 cross-border cases since April 2025. Lilongwe district represents 75.8% (119 cases) of the national load with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.63% (1 death on 10 August 2025).

A comparison with Epidemiological Week 23 shows a sharp downward trend in weekly Cholera suspected cases, declining from 126 in Week 23 to 42 in Week 24. Since the season started on 1 November 2025, Malawi has recorded a cumulative total of 3,000 suspected cases and 776 confirmed cases (315 lab-confirmed, 461 epi-linked) with 5 deaths (0.65% CFR). Geographically, 26 of Malawi’s 29 districts have reported at least one suspected case. Meanwhile, Mpox transmission remained completely silent, matching the zero confirmed case baseline from the previous week.

To maintain this Cholera downward trend, the National Incident Management System must continue to direct emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources to high-incidence hotspots. Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaigns in selected hotspot districts have achieved a total of 612,477 doses administered (101.3% coverage). For Mpox, District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) must remain alert, enforcing active cross-border screening and coordinating with Mozambique and Tanzania to ensure immediate detection of any imported cases.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presented 99 clinical cases and 4 inpatient deaths during Epidemiological Week 24. The severe respiratory burden continues to affect central districts, with Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) reporting 24 SARI cases (24.2% of the national load) and 3 SARI-associated deaths. Other districts with active respiratory caseloads include Dowa DHO (22 SARI cases) and Mulanje DHO (17 SARI cases). This concentration highlights the need for continuous sentinel respiratory surveillance and clinical preparedness in tertiary facilities.

When evaluated against the preceding baseline in Epidemiological Week 23, the SARI surveillance data displays a highly concerning upward trajectory in both morbidity and clinical mortality. National SARI cases rose by 50.0%, jumping from 66 cases in Week 23 to 99 cases in Week 24. Concurrently, SARI-associated deaths rose from 1 to 4. This persistent escalation in fatal outcomes suggests the circulation of seasonal respiratory pathogens, such as Influenza A/B or RSV, requiring immediate diagnostic and clinical attention.

We recommend that clinical teams at Kamuzu Central Hospital and other sentinel hospitals continue to systematically collect nasopharyngeal swabs from SARI patients for PCR diagnostic analysis. Healthcare facilities must ensure that pediatric oxygen delivery systems, clinical nebulizers, and essential respiratory therapeutics remain fully functional. Furthermore, clinicians must continue to document and report SARI cases on the OHSP, allowing public health teams to identify and respond to any new respiratory anomalies quickly.

Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) surveillance remains a high-priority public health activity. In Week 24, Malawi reported 49 new suspected measles alerts, bringing the cumulative alerts to 1,591 with 414 confirmed measles-rubella cases in 2026. Cumulative laboratory-confirmed cases are distributed across 23 districts, with Balaka reporting the highest proportion at 20.4% (58 cases) and Kasungu at 15.4% (44 cases). Under the IDSR framework, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance recorded 3 cases, and Meningococcal meningitis recorded 14 cases, highlighting the need for active case searching.

When compared to Epidemiological Week 23, weekly Measles alerts remained virtually stable, moving from 48 cases to 49 cases. AFP alerts fell from 14 cases in Week 23 to 3 cases in Week 24, returning to normal expected baseline thresholds. Conversely, suspected Meningococcal meningitis cases doubled, rising from 6 cases in Week 23 to 14 cases in Week 24, requiring immediate laboratory verification. Polio outbreak containment remains a high priority following the confirmation of 16 environmental sewage isolates since January 2026.

We recommend that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) continues targeting high-burden districts, particularly Balaka and Kasungu, with supplemental vaccination and outreach. For the 3 reported AFP cases, dual stool samples must be collected and sent to the laboratory under strict cold chain conditions. To prevent poliovirus spread, preparation for the upcoming Round 3 vaccination campaign (scheduled for 16-19 June 2026) must be prioritized alongside active community-level surveillance.

The national reporting performance for Epidemiological Week 23 has achieved a highly positive trajectory, registering 96.0% for reporting completeness and an encouraging 93.0% for reporting timeliness on the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP). This performance demonstrates the robust capacity of our integrated tracking systems to capture facility data with minimal informational latency. Out of the 33 designated national reporting sites, 85.0% (28 sites) successfully met the minimum target of >= 80% for both completeness and timeliness. This widespread platform adoption provides public health decision-makers with real-time situational awareness across the territory.

When evaluated against the previous historical baseline in Epidemiological Week 22, which achieved 95.8% completeness and 95.2% timeliness, Week 23 displays a general improvement in completeness but a minor drop in timeliness. Completeness rose by 0.2 percentage points, while timeliness fell by 2.2 percentage points. This positive trend was primarily anchored by Central Hospitals (100.0% on both metrics) and the South West Zone (99.5% completeness and 98.4% timeliness). However, administrative delays persist at the district level: Zomba DHO (72.0% completeness, 60.0% timeliness), Dowa DHO (73.0% completeness, 68.0% timeliness), and Balaka DHO (78.0% completeness, 78.0% timeliness) failed to surpass the reporting minimum targets of >= 80% for both indicators in the current cycle, presenting minor tracking blind spots. Additionally, Nkhotakota DHO and Karonga DHO failed to meet the minimum target for timeliness.

To address these remaining gaps and maintain optimal surveillance parameters, the National IDSR Secretariat recommends immediate administrative follow-up. Zomba, Dowa, and Balaka DHOs must prioritize targeted administrative interventions to resolve database entry delays. IDSR coordinators and Zonal Epidemiology Officers must ensure timely verification and validation of clinical data immediately after facility focal points submit weekly forms to safeguard platform responsiveness. Additionally, Nkhotakota and Karonga must focus specifically on improving timeliness.

Malaria remains the dominant priority clinical condition under active surveillance in Malawi, with Epidemiological Week 23 recording an immense burden of 30,305 cases (29,701 OPD and 604 IPD) alongside 1 associated inpatient death. This volume of clinical cases indicates intense transmission dynamics, placing constant pressure on primary care facilities, diagnostic laboratories, and essential antimalarial drug inventories. High-burden districts like Blantyre (3,324 cases), Chikwawa (2,024 cases), and Mangochi (2,638 cases) continue to represent key transmission hotspots requiring sustained public health intervention.

When contrasted with the previous baseline in Epidemiological Week 22, the malaria data reveals a downward trajectory in both morbidity and inpatient mortality. Total malaria cases decreased by 17.1%, dropping from 36,561 cases in Week 22 to 30,305 cases in Week 23. Confirmed inpatient deaths also fell sharply from 13 down to 1. This decline in fatal outcomes suggests improving clinical therapeutic timing or effective supportive inpatient protocols, yet environmental factors continue to support vector propagation across high-burden districts.

To address this transmission trend, the National Malaria Control Program must coordinate immediate antimalarial supply chain audits to ensure uninterrupted buffer stocks of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Clinical teams must conduct rigorous mortality audits on the recorded death to identify potential delays in administering intravenous artesunate. Concurrently, Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) must scale up risk communication campaigns to emphasize immediate care-seeking behaviors for all febrile illnesses.

The surveillance of waterborne enteric pathogens in Epidemiological Week 23 has flagged a significant clinical concern, with Typhoid fever cases recorded at 56 (36 OPD and 20 IPD) and Bloody Diarrhoea cases totaling 667 (663 OPD and 4 IPD). Waterborne disease transmission remains a persistent threat, highlighted by the recent enteric illness outbreak in Nkhatabay (Usisya Health Facility, T/A Mbwana), which cumulatively resulted in 131 diarrhoea cases, including 24 bloody diarrhoea cases, and 6 suspected deaths. Environmental risk factors in Nkhatabay include unsafe water sources, poor sanitation, and reliance on traditional medicine.

When compared to the baseline figures from Epidemiological Week 22, the enteric profile shows a significant downward trajectory. Bloody Diarrhoea cases fell by 7.6%, moving from 722 cases in Week 22 down to 667 cases in Week 23. Typhoid fever cases also experienced a decline, dropping from 60 down to 56 cases. The last reported cases for the Nkhatabay outbreak were recorded on 2 June 2026, and the last death was reported on 25 May 2026, indicating that the outbreak is currently stabilizing.

Based on these findings, we recommend that Blantyre, Mchinji, Dedza, and Kasungu DHOs deploy rapid response teams to conduct water safety interventions and targeted environmental monitoring to curb Typhoid. For the Nkhatabay outbreak, continuing risk communication, water safety interventions, and hygiene monitoring remain essential. Clinical teams must ensure stool and blood cultures are collected from suspected cases to monitor antimicrobial resistance patterns and guide precise therapy, while municipal authorities must prioritize water safety in hard-to-reach areas.

Epidemiological Week 23 recorded 126 suspected Cholera cases, of which 11 were laboratory-confirmed cholera cases and 115 were epidemiologically linked, alongside a commendable zero-death record. This stable survival rate reflects the high quality of supportive rehydration and prompt case management within established Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs). On the zoonotic disease front, Mpox surveillance detected zero (0) new confirmed cases and zero (0) alerts, keeping the cumulative national total stable at 158 confirmed cases and 4 cross-border cases since April 2025, with Lilongwe representing 75.8% (119 cases) and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.63%.

A comparison with Epidemiological Week 22 shows that the Cholera outbreak experienced an upward trend in case reporting, climbing from 85 suspected cases in Week 22 to 126 cases in Week 23. On the Mpox front, transmission was completely inactive, dropping from 1 confirmed case and 2 alerts in Week 22 down to absolute zero in Week 23. Geographically, 26 of Malawi’s 29 districts have reported at least one suspected cholera case since the start of the season on 1 November 2025, with a national cumulative total of 776 cases and 5 deaths (0.65% CFR).

To counter this Cholera threat, the National Incident Management System must continue to direct emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources to high-incidence hotspots. Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaigns in selected hotspot districts have achieved a total of 612,477 doses administered (101.3% coverage). For Mpox, the District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) must maintain active cross-border screening and coordination with Mozambique and Tanzania to ensure any imported cases are detected and managed promptly.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presented 66 clinical cases and 1 inpatient death during Epidemiological Week 23. The severe respiratory burden continues to affect central districts, with Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) reporting 32 SARI cases (48.5% of the national SARI burden) and the only SARI-associated death. This consistent concentration highlights the need for continuous sentinel respiratory surveillance and clinical preparedness within tertiary facilities to handle sudden influxes of acute respiratory cases.

When evaluated against the baseline from Epidemiological Week 22, the SARI surveillance data displays a significant decrease in respiratory morbidity and mortality. National SARI cases dropped by 50.7%, falling from 134 cases in Week 22 down to 66 cases in Week 23. SARI-associated deaths also decreased, declining from 4 down to 1. Despite this positive trend, clinical teams must continue to monitor severe cases to identify seasonal respiratory pathogens such as Influenza A/B or RSV.

We recommend that clinical teams at Kamuzu Central Hospital and other sentinel hospitals continue to systematically collect nasopharyngeal swabs from SARI patients for PCR diagnostic analysis. Healthcare facilities must ensure that pediatric oxygen delivery systems, clinical nebulizers, and essential respiratory therapeutics remain fully functional. Furthermore, clinicians must continue to document and report SARI cases on the OHSP, allowing public health teams to identify and respond to any new respiratory anomalies quickly.

Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) surveillance remains a high-priority public health activity. From Week 1 to Week 23 of 2026, Malawi cumulatively reported 1,543 alerts, including 414 confirmed measles-rubella cases. Laboratory-confirmed measles cases totaled 287 across 23 districts, with Balaka reporting the highest proportion at 20.2% (58 cases) and Kasungu at 15.3% (44 cases). Under the IDSR framework, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance recorded 14 cases this week, and Meningococcal meningitis recorded 6 cases, highlighting the need for sustained immunization coverage and active case searching.

When compared to Epidemiological Week 22, the Measles weekly alerts fell from 79 down to 48 cases in Week 23, reflecting a 39.2% weekly decline. Conversely, AFP alerts rose significantly from 4 to 14 cases, reflecting a major increase in weekly paralysis reporting. Suspected Meningococcal meningitis cases remained relatively stable, moving from 4 cases in Week 22 to 6 cases in Week 23. Polio outbreak containment remains a high priority following the confirmation of 16 environmental sewage isolates since January 2026.

We recommend that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) continues targeting high-burden districts, particularly Balaka and Kasungu, with supplemental vaccination and outreach. For the 14 reported AFP cases, dual stool samples must be collected and sent to the laboratory under strict cold chain conditions. To prevent poliovirus spread, preparation for the upcoming Round 3 vaccination campaign (scheduled for 16-19 June 2026) must be prioritized alongside active community-level surveillance.

The national reporting performance for Epidemiological Week 22 has achieved a highly positive trajectory, registering 95.8% for reporting completeness and an outstanding 95.2% for reporting timeliness on the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP). This performance demonstrates the robust capacity of our integrated tracking systems to capture facility data with minimal informational latency. Out of the 33 designated national reporting sites, 90.9% (30 sites) successfully met the minimum target of 80% for both completeness and timeliness. This widespread platform adoption provides public health decision-makers with real-time situational awareness across the territory.

When evaluated against the previous historical baseline in Epidemiological Week 21, which achieved 95.6% completeness and 95.1% timeliness, Week 22 displays a general improvement across both surveillance domains. Completeness rose by 0.2 percentage points, while timeliness climbed by 0.1 percentage points. This positive trend was primarily anchored by Central Hospitals (100.0% on both metrics) and the South West and North West Zones. However, administrative delays persist at the district level: Balaka DHO 89.0% completeness and timeliness) and Karonga DHO (87.0% completeness and timeliness) showed improvements, yet Zomba, Dowa, and Karonga districts failed to surpass the reporting minimum targets of 80% for both indicators in the current cycle, presenting minor tracking blind spots.

To address these remaining gaps and maintain optimal surveillance parameters, the National IDSR Secretariat recommends immediate administrative follow-up. Zomba, Dowa, and Karonga DHOs must prioritize targeted administrative interventions to resolve database entry delays. IDSR coordinators and Zonal Epidemiology Officers must ensure timely verification and validation of clinical data immediately after facility focal points submit weekly forms to safeguard platform responsiveness during active outbreaks. Additionally, Mzuzu Central Hospital, Mwanza, Balaka, Nkhotakota, Mzimba North, and Salima must focus heavily on improving timeliness.

Malaria remains the dominant priority clinical condition under active surveillance in Malawi, with Epidemiological Week 22 recording an immense burden of 36,561 cases (35,837 OPD and 724 IPD) alongside 13 associated inpatient deaths. This heavy volume of clinical cases indicates intense transmission dynamics, placing constant pressure on primary care facilities, diagnostic laboratories, and essential antimalarial drug inventories. High-burden districts like Blantyre (4,343 cases), Chikwawa (2,857 cases), and Mangochi (2,711 cases) continue to represent key transmission hotspots requiring sustained public health intervention.

When contrasted with the previous baseline in Epidemiological Week 21, the malaria data reveals a downward trajectory in morbidity but a worrying spike in inpatient mortality. Total malaria cases decreased by 2.5%, dropping from 37,499 cases in Week 21 to 36,561 cases in Week 22. Conversely, confirmed inpatient deaths rose sharply by 225%, climbing from 4 up to 13. This synchronous increase in fatal outcomes suggests critical gaps in clinical therapeutic timing or severe clinical complications arising from delayed presentation across high-burden districts.

To address this rising transmission trend, the National Malaria Control Program must coordinate immediate antimalarial supply chain audits to ensure uninterrupted buffer stocks of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Clinical teams must conduct rigorous mortality audits on the 13 recorded deaths to identify systemic or clinical delays in administering intravenous artesunate. Concurrently, Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) must scale up risk communication campaigns to emphasize immediate care-seeking behaviors for all febrile illnesses.

The surveillance of waterborne enteric pathogens in Epidemiological Week 22 has flagged a significant clinical concern, with Typhoid fever cases recorded at 60 (53 OPD and 7 IPD) and Bloody Diarrhoea cases totaling 722 (717 OPD and 5 IPD). Waterborne disease transmission remains a persistent threat, highlighted by an active bloody diarrhoea outbreak in Nkhatabay (Usisya Health Facility, T/A Mbwana), which has cumulatively resulted in 133 cases, 24 bloody diarrhoea cases, and 6 suspected deaths. Risk factors in Nkhatabay include unsafe water sources, poor sanitation, and reliance on traditional medicine.

When compared to the baseline figures from Epidemiological Week 21, the enteric profile shows a significant downward trajectory. Bloody Diarrhoea cases fell by 8.4%, moving from 788 cases in Week 21 down to 722 cases in Week 22. Typhoid fever cases also experienced a sharp 46.9% decline, dropping from 113 down to 60 cases. Despite this national reduction, active transmission is concentrated in Lilongwe DHO (25 OPD, 3 IPD Typhoid cases) and Mchinji DHO (15 OPD, 1 IPD Typhoid cases), which requires immediate localized interventions.

Based on these findings, we recommend that Lilongwe and Mchinji DHOs implement targeted interventions against Typhoid fever. For the Nkhatabay outbreak, the rapid response team must continue active case finding, community awareness, and the distribution of 1% stock solution for household water treatment. Clinical teams must ensure stool and blood cultures are collected from suspected cases to monitor antimicrobial resistance patterns and guide precise therapy, while municipal authorities must prioritize water safety in hard-to-reach areas.

Epidemiological Week 22 recorded 85 suspected Cholera cases, of which 16 were confirmed cholera cases (1 lab-confirmed, 15 epi-linked), alongside a commendable zero-death record. This stable survival rate reflects the high quality of supportive rehydration and prompt case management within established Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs). On the zoonotic disease front, Mpox surveillance detected 1 new laboratory-confirmed case and 2 alerts, bringing the cumulative national total to 158 confirmed cases since April 2025, with Lilongwe representing 75.3% (119 cases) and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.63%.

A comparison with Epidemiological Week 21 shows that the Cholera outbreak is stabilizing. Suspected cholera cases dropped significantly by 43.0%, falling from 149 in Week 21 down to 85 in Week 22, while confirmed cases fell from 25 to 16. On the Mpox front, transmission remains low but active, moving from 0 new cases in Week 21 to 1 confirmed case in Week 22. Lilongwe, Mangochi, and Ntcheu remain the primary geographic risk areas for zoonotic spread.

To counter this Cholera threat, the National Incident Management System must continue to direct emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources to high-incidence hotspots. In addition, CTU inventories of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), IV fluids, and rapid cholera tests must be restocked to prevent shortages. For Mpox, the District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) must investigate the 2 new alerts within 24 hours, enforce strict active border screening, and maintain cross-border coordination with Mozambique and Tanzania.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presented 134 clinical cases and 4 inpatient deaths during Epidemiological Week 22. The severe respiratory burden continues to heavily affect central districts, with Dowa DHO reporting 41 cases and 1 death, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) reporting 41 cases and 3 deaths, and Mulanje DHO reporting 20 cases. This consistent concentration highlights the need for continuous sentinel respiratory surveillance and clinical preparedness within tertiary facilities to handle sudden influxes of acute respiratory cases.

When evaluated against the baseline from Epidemiological Week 21, the SARI surveillance data displays a minor increase in respiratory morbidity but a highly concerning escalation in clinical mortality. National SARI cases rose by 3.9%, climbing from 129 cases in Week 21 to 134 cases in Week 22. SARI-associated deaths doubled, rising from 2 to 4. This persistent level of clinical mortality highlights the circulation of seasonal respiratory pathogens, such as Influenza A/B or RSV, requiring immediate diagnostic and clinical attention.

We recommend that clinical teams at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Dowa District Hospital, and other sentinel hospitals continue to systematically collect nasopharyngeal swabs from SARI patients for PCR diagnostic analysis. Healthcare facilities must ensure that pediatric oxygen delivery systems, clinical nebulizers, and essential respiratory therapeutics remain fully functional. Furthermore, clinicians must continue to document and report SARI cases on the OHSP, allowing public health teams to identify and respond to any new respiratory anomalies quickly.

Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) surveillance remains a high-priority public health activity, with cumulative confirmed Measles cases holding at 287 across 23 districts in 2026. This week recorded 79 new Measles alerts, emphasizing the persistent transmission risk in hotspot districts, with Balaka reporting the highest proportion at 20.2% (58 cumulative cases) and Kasungu at 15.3% (44 cumulative cases). Under the IDSR framework, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance recorded 4 cases, and Meningococcal meningitis recorded 4 cases, highlighting the need for sustained immunization coverage and active case searching.

When compared to Epidemiological Week 21, the VPD surveillance profile displays a general decline. Weekly Measles alerts decreased by 6.0%, dropping from 84 cases in Week 21 to 79 cases in Week 22. Weekly AFP alerts declined from 6 to 4, representing normal expected baseline surveillance sensitivity. Most significantly, suspected Meningococcal meningitis cases experienced a sharp reduction, dropping from 26 cases in Week 21 down to 4 cases in Week 22, returning closer to expected baseline thresholds.

We recommend that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) immediately schedules targeted supplemental immunization activities (SIA) in Balaka and other high-burden districts to interrupt Measles transmission, with special attention directed to Balaka’s ongoing situation. For the 4 reported AFP cases, district coordinators must ensure that dual stool samples are collected and sent to the laboratory under strict cold chain conditions. To prevent further Meningococcal meningitis spread, healthcare facilities must maintain robust laboratory diagnostics and prioritize lumbar punctures for all suspected meningitis presentations.