KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – Globally, malaria remains a major health concern, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) experiencing a particularly heavy burden. In 2025, the country reported a total of 26,064,143 malaria cases, alongside 29,938 fatalities attributed to the disease. These figures were announced by Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria continues to be the leading public health challenge for the nation. The updated numbers underscore the persistent high disease burden in one of Africa’s most severely affected countries.
The National Malaria Control Programme released these data as health officials ramp up malaria response activities specifically in Ituri. Dembo highlighted that control initiatives must persist, and efforts should be strengthened with interventions proven effective. He also stressed the importance of tailoring strategies to suit the particular conditions of individual health zones. One such initiative in Ituri focuses on the mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign is part of the broader strategy to prevent and treat malaria, aiming to cut infection rates, severe cases, and mortality. The authorities are implementing comprehensive measures aligned with national goals to combat the disease.
World Health Organization estimates indicate that in 2024, there were approximately 282 million malaria cases worldwide, resulting in 610,000 deaths. The continent of Africa bore the brunt of this burden, accounting for about 95% of both cases and deaths that year. Specifically, Africa recorded an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed significantly to these numbers, representing 11.7% of malaria-related deaths across the continent. According to WHO data, children under five account for roughly three quarters of all malaria deaths in Africa. These statistics place the DRC among the countries with the highest malaria burden globally.
Malaria’s Impact Continues to Concentrate in Africa
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains both preventable and treatable. Early symptoms commonly include fever, chills, and headaches, but severe infections can escalate to breathing difficulties, seizures, profound fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The most deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is also the most widespread in Africa. To curb transmission and prevent severe cases, health authorities rely on measures such as mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment. Timely diagnosis is vital because untreated falciparum malaria can quickly become life-threatening.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo incorporated the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization schedule. The initial deployment took place in Kongo Central province after the country received 693,500 doses of the vaccine. The phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the rollout alongside the government and other health partners. This vaccine complements existing tools like insecticide-treated nets, preventive medicines, diagnostic testing, and treatment, serving as another protective measure for vulnerable children.
Vaccine Implementation Enhances National Malaria Control Strategies
The DRC’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple strategies to combat malaria within high-risk communities. These include expanding the distribution of innovative insecticide-treated mosquito nets and providing preventive treatment to pregnant women and infants. Additionally, a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention is underway. Other components involve indoor residual spraying, larval habitat control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. The plan also emphasizes enhanced malaria surveillance and community engagement efforts. The overarching goal is to safeguard 80% of individuals at risk from malaria across the country.
The 2025 figures on cases and deaths released by Dembo derive from data reported by the national malaria programme, separate from the World Health Organization’s modeled global estimates for 2024. These latest national statistics confirm that malaria continues to impact millions of lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s response includes drug distribution, vaccination campaigns, mosquito control initiatives, preventive treatments, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign, in particular, introduces mass antimalarial drug administration as part of ongoing efforts to reduce illness and fatalities caused by malaria.
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