World Malaria Day

It's an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.  

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AFRICAN REGION - Regional Data and Trends.

The WHO African Region continues to shoulder the heaviest burden of malaria. Globally in 2022, the Region accounted for:

94% of all malaria cases (233 million cases);

95% of all malaria deaths (580 000 deaths). About 78% of all malaria deaths in the Region were among children under the age of five.

In 2022, four countries in the Region – Nigeria (26.8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.3%), Uganda (5.1%) and Mozambique (4.2%) – accounted for nearly half of all malaria cases globally (Fig. 3.3c).

Four African countries also accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths globally: Nigeria (31.1%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.6%), Niger (5.6%) and the United Republic of Tanzania (4.4%) (Fig. 3.3d). Over the longer term (2000–2022), malaria case incidence and mortality rates in the African Region have declined:

case incidence (cases per 1000 population at risk) fell from 369.3 in 2000 to 222.6 in 2022 (Fig 3.4a);

the mortality rate (deaths per 100 000 population at risk) fell from 142.6 in 2000 to 55.5 in 2022 (Fig. 3.4b).

However, since 2015, the rate of progress in both cases and deaths has stalled in several countries with moderate or high transmission; the situation was made worse, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and other humanitarian emergencies. Between 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2022, there was a considerable increase in the total estimated number of malaria cases in the African Region, from 218 million to 233 million. Substantial case increases were seen in Nigeria (5.3 million), Ethiopia (2.4 million), Madagascar (1.5 million), Uganda (1.3 million), the United Republic of Tanzania (1.3 million), Mali (1.1 million) and Mozambique (1 million). The African Region as a whole is off track for both the malaria morbidity and mortality GTS 2025 milestones by 52% and 50%, respectively (Fig. 8.4):

Case incidence: there was little change (a less than 5% increase or decrease) in case incidence in 2022 compared with 2015 in 10 countries: Benin, Botswana, Chad, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria and South Sudan. Case incidence increased by 5% to 25% in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Uganda; by 25% to 55% in Angola, Burundi and Madagascar; and by more than 55% or more in the Comoros, Eritrea and Sao Tome and Principe.

The mortality rate increased by 25–55% in Angola and Madagascar and by 55% or more in the Comoros and Eritrea.

The overall regional trend masks progress in individual countries.

Between 2019 and 2022, Rwanda saw a steep decline in malaria cases (3.8 million).

In 2022, Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe achieved a reduction in the mortality rate of 55% or more. And, although 27 countries are off track to meet the GTS 2025 mortality milestone, they achieved mortality rate reductions of less than 55%.

In 2022, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe reported zero malaria deaths for the first time. And that same year, Botswana, Eritrea and Eswatini all reported fewer than 10 malaria deaths.

Cabo Verde has reported zero malaria deaths since 2018 and has requested an official certification of malaria elimination from WHO (decision expected in early 2024).

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SOUTH-EAST ASIA - Regional Data and Trends.

In 2022, nine countries in the South-East Asia Region contributed to about 2% of the burden of the malaria globally (5.2 million cases). Most malaria cases in the Region were concentrated in India (66%) and about 94% of deaths were in India and Indonesia (Fig. 3.5c). Since 2000, the Region has achieved excellent progress in reducing its malaria burden. Between 2000 and 2022:

case incidence (cases per 1000 population at risk) fell from 17.6 to 3.0 (Fig. 3.5a); total malaria cases dropped by 77%, from 22.8 million to 5.2 million; the mortality rate (deaths per 100 000 population at risk) fell from 2.7 to 0.5 (Fig. 3.5b); total malaria deaths declined by 77%, from 35 000 to 8000. However, substantial case increases have been observed in some countries in recent years, notably in Myanmar: Between 2019 and 2022, Myanmar saw a seven-fold increase in cases, from 78 000 to 584 000, fueled bypolitical and social instability.

The increase in malaria case burden in Myanmar since 2019 has impacted neighbouring Thailand, where cases more than doubled between 2021 (2426 cases) and 2022 (6263 cases). Democratic Peopleʼs Republic of Korea India Indonesia Myanmar Bangladesh Thailand Nepal Bhutan Timor-Leste

In 2022, Timor-Leste reported zero malaria cases for the second consecutive year and Nepal reported zero indigenous malaria deaths for the first time.

Bhutan reported zero cases of malaria for the first time in 2022.

Sri Lanka was certified malaria free by WHO in 2016 and has maintained this status.

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EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION - Regional date and trends.

In 2022, the Eastern Mediterranean Region’s seven malariaendemic countries accounted for 3% of global malaria cases. Sudan carried the heaviest malaria burden in the Region, with 41% of cases, followed by Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Djibouti (Fig. 3.6c). Beginning in 2000, the Region saw a steep download trend in its malaria burden followed by a surge in cases and deaths in the period 2015 to 2022:

case incidence (cases per 1000 population at risk) fell from 20.2 in 2000 to 9.0 in 2015 and then increased to 15.2 in 2022 (Fig. 3.6a);

total malaria cases fell from 6.9 million in 2000 to 4 million in 2014 before increasing steadily, reaching 8.3 million in 2022;

mortality rate (deaths per 100 000 population at risk) fell from 4.0 in 2000 to 1.7 in 2015 and then increased to 2.9 in 2022 (Fig. 3.6b);

total malaria deaths fell from 13 600 in 2000 to 7500 in 2014 and then more than doubled, to 15 900, in 2022. Between 2021 and 2022, there was a sharp rise in malaria cases in the Region, from 6.2 million to 8.3 million. This was due, in large part, to an increase of 2.1 million cases in Pakistan following a malaria outbreak triggered by the catastrophic 2022 flooding. Significant increases were also seen in Afghanistan and the Sudan, with an additional 94 000 and 35 000 cases, respectively

Reliable data remains a challenge. Instabilities in Afghanistan, Somalia, the Sudan and Yemen have led to the closure of health facilities and to other disruptions; as a result, obtaining reliable malaria data in these countries has been a challenge, and current estimates should be interpreted with caution. In view of recent trends, the Eastern Mediterranean Region is off track towards meeting the 2025 GTS malaria case incidence and mortality milestones by 75% and 74%, respectively (Fig. 8.6):

In 2022, malaria case incidence increased by 55% or more in Djibouti, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, the Sudan and Yemen, compared to a 2015 baseline. Meanwhile, case incidence in Somalia in 2022 was the same as in 2015.

Malaria deaths increased by an estimated 55% or more in Djibouti, Pakistan and the Sudan, and by 25–55% in Yemen. There was no estimated change in mortality in Somalia. Despite the overall regional trend, some countries achieved notable successes:

In 2022, Saudi Arabia reported zero indigenous malaria cases for the second consecutive year and zero indigenous malaria deaths since 2000.

Iraq, Morocco, Oman and the Syrian Arab Republic last reported indigenous malaria cases in 2008, 2004, 2007 and 2004, respectively.

In 2022, all countries in the Region reported zero malaria deaths, aside from Djibouti, Pakistan, the Sudan and Yemen.

Malaria mortality rates fell by an estimated 25–55% in Afghanistan in 2022 compared with 2015.

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LATIN AMERICA - Regional Data and Trends.

In 2022, 15 malaria-endemic countries and one territory in the Region of the Americas accounted for an estimated 0.2% of global malaria cases. Three countries – Brazil, Colombia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – accounted for an estimated 73% of all cases region-wide (Fig. 3.8c).

Between 2000 and 2022, the Region of the Americas made good progress in reducing its malaria burden:

case incidence (cases per 1000 population at risk) fell from 13.1 to 3.6 (Fig. 3.8a); total malaria cases declined by 64%, from 1.5 million to 0.55 million; the mortality rate (deaths per 100 000 population at risk) fell from 0.7 to 0.2 (Fig. 3.8b); total malaria deaths were reduced by 60%, from 850 to 343.However, progress in the Region has suffered in recent years due to an epidemic in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela between 2018 and 2020, as well as increases in several other countries.

Cases rose from an estimated 35 500 in 2000 to over 483 000 in 2017. In 2020, cases reduced by more than half compared to 2019, and there were further reductions observed in 2021 and 2022 (205 000 and 154 000 cases, respectively). Factors contributing to this reduction include restrictions on population movement during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in the availability and use of malaria diagnosis and treatment commodities.

Meanwhile, estimated cases increased in 2022 in Costa Rica (311), the Plurinational State of Bolivia (1333), Guyana (428), Haiti (17 272), Honduras (3100), Nicaragua (3683) and Panama (4826). In view of recent trends, the Region did not achieve the GTS 2025 milestones for reductions in malaria case incidence and mortality; progress towards these targets was off track by 52% and 48%, respectively (Fig 8.5 a + b).

In Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Panama, case incidence increased by 55% or more in 2022 compared with 2015.

In the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Guyana, estimated increases were between 25% and 55% and in Colombia, the estimated increase in case incidence was less than 25%.

In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Haiti, there was no change in incidence in 2022 compared with 2015. Progress varied across the Region, and some countries bucked the overall regional trend: The Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru all achieved reductions of more than 55% in case incidence between 2015 and 2022 (Fig. 8.5), with Suriname reporting zero indigenous cases for the first time. Over the same period, Honduras was estimated to have reduced its malaria case incidence by between 25% and 55%, and Brazil by less than 25%.

In 2022, three countries saw substantial reductions in the total number of cases compared to 2019: Brazil (–28 000), Colombia (–21 000) and Peru (–9000). That same year, more modest reductions were seen in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala and Mexico, and Suriname reported zero indigenous cases for the first time.

Four countries – Argentina, Belize, El Salvador and Paraguay – were certified by WHO as malaria free in 2019, 2023, 2021 and 2018, respectively.

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WESTERN PACIFIC REGION -Regional data and trends.

The Western Pacific Region is not on track to reach the GTS 2025 milestones for case incidence and mortality; progress is off course of 69% and 74%, respectively.

This trend is mainly due to increases of more than 55% in cases and deaths in Papua New Guinea, which carries 90% of the burden of malaria in the region.

Increases of 55% or more in case incidence were also observed in Solomon Islands, which accounts for a large proportion of cases in the region, and in Vanuatu, for which trends should be interpreted with caution in view of the low number of cases.Despite the overall regional trend, many countries achieved excellent results.

China was certified malaria-free by WHO in 2021 and has maintained this status.

Five countries in the region reported fewer than 10 000 malaria cases in 2022: Lao People’s Democratic Republic (3713), the Philippines (8160), the Republic of Korea (382), Vanuatu (2035) and Viet Nam (412). That same year, Cambodia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Vanuatu and Viet Nam all reported zero malaria deaths.

Malaysia has achieved zero human cases of malaria for five consecutive years. However, over the past 6 years, the country has reported an increase in the number of zoonotic P. knowlesi malaria cases, with 2500 cases reported in 2022

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 Gender, health equity and human rights.

This year's theme for World Malaria Day is "gender, health equity and human rights". Through the slogan, "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world," RBM is calling for unity across the global health community to ensure no mother, child or family member faces malaria alone, creating a future where every life is valued and protected. Share the message and help Accelerate The Fight using RBM's World Malaria Day social media toolkit. 

World Malaria Day 2024 Took Kit

A story told with Adobe Express

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Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine.

In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.

Today’s launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. 

Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.

In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine. 

"For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including GAVI, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let's end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society," said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.  

Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations. 

In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide. 

“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.

Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report 2023.

“The African region is advancing in the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our member states and partners, we’re supporting the ongoing efforts to save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.” 

Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”

Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge. 

To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation. 

Cotonou/Freetown/Monrovia — In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—

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Regional data and trends briefing kit: World malaria report 2023.

Regional data and trends briefing kit

Download the World malaria report 2023 and the related information package.

View the Goals and milestones of the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030.

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Invest - Innovate- Implement.

"Time to deliver zero malaria." world malaria day 2023.

On 25 April, World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement"

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Consolidated Guidelines for Malaria.

To address these threats and support countries in building more resilient malaria programmes, WHO recently published new guidance, including:

a new strategy to contain antimalarial drug resistance in Africa;

a new initiative to stop the spread of Anopheles stephensi in urban environments;

a new framework, developed jointly by WHO and UN-Habitat, to guide city leaders in urban malaria control.

a new toolkit to help countries assess their malaria surveillance systems and identify areas for investment

To support malaria-endemic countries, WHO has also increased the transparency, flexibility and access to its malaria recommendations. WHO encourages countries to tailor the recommendations to local disease settings, using local data, for maximum impact. All WHO malaria guidance is available through two digital platforms:

 MAGICapp – The consolidated WHO guidelines for malaria are accessible through the MAGICapp platform in English, French, Arabic and Spanish;

 Malaria Toolkit app – WHO’s most up-to-date recommendations on malaria can also be found in the Malaria Toolkit app.

WHO’s consolidated guidelines are a “living” document that is updated periodically as and when new guidance becomes available. In June 2022, WHO updated its recommendations for 3 key chemoprevention strategies.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is recommended for children living in areas with highly seasonal malaria transmission in Africa.

Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) is recommended for young children living in areas where malaria is a year-round disease, and where transmission is high.

Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is recommended for all pregnant women living in areas of moderate-to-high malaria transmission in Africa.

When given to the young children and pregnant women who are most vulnerable to malaria, preventive chemotherapy has been shown to be a safe, effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing the disease burden and saving lives.

WHO recently published recommendations on new types of insecticide-treated nets (March 2023) and on the treatment of malaria cases (November 2022).

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Reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.

“Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.” World Malaria Day 2023. Within this theme, WHO will focus on the third “i” – implement – and notably the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.

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Invest in malaria control.

According to WHO’s World malaria report 2022, the funding gap between the amount invested in the global malaria response (US$ 3.5 billion) and the resources needed (US$ 7.3 billion) has widened, particularly over the past 3 years – increasing from a shortfall of US$ 2.6 billion in 2019 to US$ 3.5 billion in 2020 and US$ 3.8 billion in 2021.

Despite the significant contributions of countries and partners, the Seventh Global Fund replenishment raised US$ 15.7 billion against an expected target of at least US$ 18 billion. With the changing economic environment, the funding space for the malaria response has become increasingly challenging.

In this resource-constrained environment, a better targeting of available funding is essential. Funding should be prioritized for the most vulnerable populations who are less able to access services and hardest hit when they become ill. Adequate and predictable financing is essential to sustain progress in efforts to combat malaria.

World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” and the importance of reac

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Innovate new tools to diagnose and eliminate Malaria.

Despite recent setbacks in malaria control, investments in R&D played a crucial role in reducing the global burden of malaria over the last 2 decades. The development and massive roll-out of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the backbone of the malaria response since 2000. Continued investment in the development and deployment of next-generation tools will be key to achieving the 2030 global malaria targets.

In the vector control space, there are 28 new products in the R&D pipeline. Tools under evaluation include, for example, new types of insecticide-treated nets, targeted baits that attract mosquitoes, spatial repellents, lethal house lures (eaves tubes) and genetic engineering of mosquitoes. Should these tools demonstrate efficacy in controlling the disease, WHO will develop new policy recommendations or amend existing ones to support their deployment in malaria-affected countries.

A number of malaria vaccines are currently in development. Like the RTS,S vaccine, many of them target the malaria parasite before it enters the human liver where it can quickly multiply. The most advanced of these candidates is R21, which recently completed Phase 3 clinical trials. Other vaccine candidates seek to stop transmission of the malaria parasite, and still others to protect women during pregnancy.

New diagnostics are also on the way. To address problems around HRP2/3 gene deletions, which compromise the performance of RDTs that detect P. falciparum malaria, researchers are pursuing the development of diagnostics that use alternative biomarkers. Non-invasive diagnosis using saliva and urine is another growing area of investigation, with potential for rapid screening outside of conventional medical settings.

In the field of antimalarial medicines, developing non-ACT treatment options is a priority for researchers in the face of the emergence and spread of partial resistance to artemisinin.

Next-generation medicines are in the development pipeline – such as “triple ACTs” that rely on a combination of artemisinin and 2 partner drugs to mitigate the risk of drug resistance. Other medicines under evaluation use different chemical entities as an alternative to artemisinin and its derivates; four such medicines are currently in clinical trials.

World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” and the importance of reac

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Implement new approaches to eliminate Malaria.

Malaria-affected countries and partners are strongly encouraged to deliver the WHO-recommended tools and strategies that are available now for all at risk of malaria – and particularly those most vulnerable.

According to the latest World malaria report, countries have made some progress in expanding access to malaria services for most-at-risk populations. However, too many people at high risk of malaria are still missing out on the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.

Challenges in expanding access to malaria services have been compounded, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, converging humanitarian crises, restricted funding, weak surveillance systems, and declines in the effectiveness of core malaria-fighting tools.

To address these threats and support countries in building more resilient malaria programmes, WHO recently published new guidance, strategies and frameworks. WHO has also increased the transparency, flexibility and access to its malaria recommendations.

In addition to addressing the technical challenges facing implementation, there is a critical need to address the barriers people face in accessing quality health services. Investments in well-functioning health systems, built on a foundation of primary health care, can address people’s health needs close to where they live and work while, at the same time, reducing the cost of care and enhancing equity.

سينضمّ المجتمع المعني بالملاريا الأوسع نطاقاً إلى حملة اليوم العالمي لمكافحة الملاريا لهذا العام في إطار موضوع "لقد حان الوقت للوفاء بوعد ال

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Time to deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.

According to the latest World malaria report, published in December 2022, malaria claimed the lives of an estimated 619 000 people in 2021, compared to 625 000 in 2020. There were some 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million in 2020.

World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” and the importance of reac

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By strengthening the response, understanding and mitigating the risks, building resilience and accelerating research, there is every reason to dream of a malaria-free future.

Countries held the line against malaria cases and deaths in 2021: WHO report  

Despite the continued impact of COVID-19, malaria cases and deaths remained stable throughout last year, according to new data released on T

“Following a marked increase in malaria cases and deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, malaria-affected countries redoubled their efforts and were able to mitigate the worst impacts of COVID-related disruptions to malaria services”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

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Step up innovation.

No single available tool will solve the problem of malaria. Add your voice to those calling for investments that bring new diagnostics, vector control approaches and anti-malaria medecine to speed the pace of progress.