Weekly IDSR Bulletin

During Epidemiological Week 7, the national completeness of reporting through the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP) was recorded at 96.0% across the country. This represents a minor decline from previous high-performance weeks but remains well above the acceptable national threshold for data collection. High completeness ensures that the epidemiological trends observed are representative of the entire population’s health status at any given time. Health facilities must remain diligent in submitting their weekly reports to prevent gaps in our national surveillance intelligence. We must ensure that the few facilities currently lagging are identified and supported to resume full reporting cycles.

Moving forward, the focus must shift toward districts that have consistently failed to achieve a 100% reporting rate in the first quarter of 2026. The 4% gap in reporting can often hide localized clusters of infection that could potentially escalate if left unmonitored. District Health Offices are encouraged to conduct data quality audits to ensure that non-reporting facilities are not facing technical barriers. Targeted supervision visits should be prioritized for those health zones where completeness has shown a downward trend over the last three weeks. Sustaining this system requires constant communication between the facility focal persons and the national surveillance secretariat.

The national timeliness of reporting for Week 7 reached 96.0%, showing a significant and positive improvement compared to the performance in Week 6. This upward trend is a testament to the renewed efforts by district surveillance teams to meet strict reporting deadlines. Timely data submission is the most critical factor in the early detection of disease outbreaks and the deployment of response teams. When data is received within the stipulated period, the Public Health Institute can analyze trends in real-time. This efficiency reduces the lead time between an event occurring and the implementation of life-saving public health interventions.

Despite this success, a few specific districts and central hospitals still struggle to maintain consistency in their reporting times. Facilities that report late effectively blind the surveillance system to potential threats emerging in their respective catchment areas. The Ministry of Health continues to monitor these bottlenecks to determine if they are caused by internet connectivity issues or staffing gaps. It is essential that all reporting units recognize that a late report is significantly less valuable for emergency response than a timely one. Zonal coordinators must continue providing hands-on support to the facilities that are currently falling behind the national average.

A total of eighteen (18) Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) signals were reported during Week 7, demonstrating an active community-based detection system. These signals are vital as they often capture unusual health events that routine indicator-based surveillance might overlook initially. The detection of eighteen signals suggests that the community and health workers are maintaining a high level of vigilance for public health threats. Each signal represents a potential starting point for an outbreak that requires immediate verification and assessment by local teams. This proactive approach is the cornerstone of Malawi’s commitment to the International Health Regulations guidelines.

Once a signal is verified, the District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) must perform a comprehensive risk assessment to determine the appropriate response. It is not enough to simply report the signal; the system relies on the quality and speed of the follow-up investigation. For Week 7, we urge all districts to ensure that their response logs are updated to reflect the status of these investigations. Any signal that points toward a cluster of unexplained illness or sudden deaths must be treated with the highest priority. Strengthening the linkage between community detection and district-level response is our primary objective for the coming month.

Malaria remains the most significant cause of illness in Malawi, with 38,914 cases reported during this epidemiological week. While the total number of cases has decreased from the previous week, the severity of the situation is highlighted by 14 recorded deaths. This high mortality rate in a single week underscores the need for continued focus on severe malaria management at all levels of care. The data indicates that transmission is still high, particularly in the low-lying and lakeside districts where environmental conditions favor mosquito breeding. Health facilities must ensure they have adequate stocks of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy and Rapid Diagnostic Tests.

The National Malaria Control Program must continue to emphasize the importance of prevention through the consistent use of insecticide-treated bed nets. We are also observing that early care-seeking behavior is critical in preventing uncomplicated malaria from progressing to a fatal state. Community health workers are encouraged to intensify their outreach to educate families on recognizing the early signs of malaria in children. Furthermore, health facilities with high case-fatality rates should be targeted for clinical mentorship on the management of severe febrile illness. The secretariat will continue to track these mortality trends to identify any potential gaps in the supply chain or clinical quality.

In Week 7, a total of 1,024 cases of bloody diarrhoea were reported across the national surveillance network. This figure shows a slight decrease from the 1,072 cases reported in Week 6, indicating a stabilizing trend in enteric diseases. However, the consistent reporting of over a thousand cases per week remains a public health concern regarding water and food safety. Bloody diarrhoea is often an indicator of poor sanitation and can be a precursor to larger outbreaks of bacillary dysentery. It is essential that we do not let our guard down despite the minor decrease in the total number of cases.

Districts that are reporting high numbers of cases must prioritize laboratory testing to identify the specific pathogens involved in these infections. Understanding whether these cases are caused by Shigella or other bacteria is crucial for determining the most effective antibiotic treatment. We also recommend that local health offices increase their coordination with water and sanitation partners to improve hygiene in the most affected areas. Public health messages should focus on the importance of drinking safe water and the proper disposal of human waste. Targeted interventions in hotspots can significantly reduce the transmission of these diarrhoeal diseases before they spread further.

The cholera situation in Week 7 saw 155 suspected cases and 8 laboratory-confirmed cases reported nationally. Although zero deaths were recorded this week, the increase in suspected cases from 79 in Week 6 to 155 in Week 7 is a clear signal of escalating risk. This doubling of suspected cases requires immediate and intensified surveillance and environmental health actions in all identified hotspots. The presence of confirmed cases proves that the Vibrio cholerae bacterium is actively circulating within certain communities. We must act decisively to break the chains of transmission before the situation evolves into a large-scale national outbreak.

Response efforts must focus on providing safe water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene promotion in the areas where confirmed cases have been found. It is also imperative that all suspected cases are managed according to the standard cholera treatment protocols to prevent complications. District teams should ensure that all household contacts of confirmed cases are reached with preventive messages and, where necessary, chemoprophylaxis. The national task force is closely monitoring the surge in suspected cases and stands ready to deploy additional resources to the most burdened districts. Timely reporting of any new clusters is essential for the rapid containment of this highly infectious disease.

One (1) maternal death was reported during Epidemiological Week 7, representing a significant decrease from previous weeks. While the reduction in the number of deaths is encouraging, the target remains zero, as every maternal death is a preventable tragedy. This single case must be investigated with the same level of intensity as a larger cluster of infections. Maternal mortality is a sensitive indicator of the overall quality of the healthcare system and its ability to manage emergencies. We must continue to push for high-quality maternal and neonatal services across all health facilities in Malawi.

The mandatory Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) audit for this case must be completed within 72 hours. These audits are crucial for identifying the “three delays”: delay in seeking care, delay in reaching a facility, and delay in receiving appropriate care. The findings from this audit should be used to improve clinical protocols and address any logistical gaps identified at the facility. We urge all district health management teams to prioritize the recommendations coming out of these audits to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Continuous training of health workers on obstetric emergency care remains a top priority for the Ministry.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance recorded 107 cases during Week 7, with zero deaths reported. This is a slight decrease in morbidity compared to the 125 cases and 2 deaths recorded in Week 6. The absence of mortality this week is a positive outcome that suggests improved clinical management or a shift in the severity of circulating pathogens. However, 107 cases still represent a significant respiratory disease burden on the healthcare system. Vigilance must be maintained, especially for children under five and the elderly, who are at highest risk of complications from pneumonia and influenza-like illnesses.

Health facilities are reminded to continue collecting samples for sentinel influenza surveillance to monitor the types of viruses currently in circulation. Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment with appropriate antibiotics or antivirals are essential for maintaining the zero-mortality trend. We must also ensure that oxygen therapy is readily available in all district hospitals to manage severe cases of respiratory distress. Community sensitization should continue to focus on the importance of early hospital visits for anyone experiencing breathing difficulties or prolonged high fever. The secretariat will continue to monitor SARI trends as we move through the remainder of the high-risk season.

In Week 7, a total of 69 cases of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) were reported, including one (1) recorded death. This represents an increase in the number of cases compared to the 49 reported in the previous week. AEFI surveillance is critical for monitoring the safety of our immunization programs and maintaining public trust in vaccines. The occurrence of a death following immunization is a very rare and serious event that requires an immediate and thorough investigation. Most of the other 68 cases were minor and expected reactions that resolved without complications. We must ensure that all vaccine-related events are captured accurately in our national database.

The reported AEFI death must be investigated by the National AEFI Committee to determine the causality of the event. It is essential to determine if the death was truly related to the vaccine, an administration error, or a coincidental underlying health condition. Transparency in this process is vital to address any public concerns and to maintain high vaccination coverage rates. District health teams should continue to encourage parents to report any unusual symptoms in children following vaccination. We will provide a detailed report on the findings of the causality assessment as soon as it is concluded by the expert panel.

There were zero (0) new confirmed cases of Mpox and zero (0) new alerts reported during Epidemiological Week 7. This continues the trend of zero activity from the previous week, suggesting that there is currently no active transmission detected in the country. However, given the regional situation, the risk of importation remains a constant threat that requires us to maintain our surveillance at all borders. We cannot afford to become complacent, as the disease can easily be reintroduced through cross-border travel. Our healthcare workers must remain trained and ready to identify any potential suspects that may arrive at our facilities.

Public health institute teams are continuing to monitor the situation in neighboring countries to inform our national risk profile. We recommend that the screening protocols at major points of entry remain in place and that community surveillance is not relaxed. Any person presenting with a characteristic rash and fever should be isolated and tested immediately as a precaution. Maintaining a high level of preparedness will allow us to contain any new cases quickly if they occur. We will continue to provide weekly updates on the Mpox status as part of our commitment to global health security and national awareness.

Surveillance for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) remained active in Week 7, which is essential for maintaining Malawi’s Polio-free status. AFP is the primary clinical signal we use to monitor for the potential re-emergence of the Polio virus in the community. In addition to AFP, the surveillance system is also monitoring for any clusters of fever and rash that could indicate Measles. Measles remains a significant threat to children who have not completed their routine vaccination schedules. It is imperative that we maintain high sensitivity in our detection systems for both of these vaccine-preventable diseases to protect our progress.

For every reported case of AFP, two stool samples must be collected within 14 days of the onset of paralysis to ensure an accurate laboratory diagnosis. We urge all surveillance officers to prioritize the timely collection and cold-chain transport of these samples to the reference laboratory. In the case of suspected measles, laboratory confirmation through blood samples is necessary to differentiate it from other febrile rash illnesses. Any confirmed measles case should trigger a localized vaccination campaign to boost immunity in the affected community. Strengthening routine immunization remains our most effective long-term strategy for preventing these diseases from causing significant outbreaks.

Typhoid fever surveillance recorded 64 cases during Week 7, which represents a significant increase from the 29 cases reported in Week 6. This sharp rise in cases is a concerning trend that suggests a breakdown in water or food safety in certain areas. Typhoid is an enteric fever that thrives in environments where clean water is scarce and sanitation facilities are inadequate. The surge in cases this week requires a targeted investigation to identify potential hotspots or contaminated water sources. We must ensure that diagnostic capacity for Typhoid is available at the district level to confirm these cases and guide treatment.

Clinicians are advised to follow the updated guidelines for Typhoid management to ensure that patients receive the most effective antibiotic therapy. The Ministry of Health is also monitoring the impact of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) that was recently introduced in the national schedule. We encourage all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to provide long-term protection against this debilitating disease. Districts with high case counts should prioritize water quality testing and community hygiene education programs. Reversing this upward trend will require a multi-sectoral approach involving water, sanitation, and health partners to address the underlying environmental causes.