KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria instances. The nation also recorded a total of 29,938 fatalities attributed to the disease during that year. During a campaign launch in Ituri province, Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these statistics. He emphasized that malaria continues to be the primary public health obstacle facing the country. These new figures underscore the significant disease burden affecting one of Africa’s most malaria-impacted nations.
The National Malaria Control Programme presented these data amid efforts by health officials to intensify malaria response activities in Ituri. Dembo highlighted that control initiatives must persist while authorities reinforce strategies that have already demonstrated effectiveness. He also urged the adoption of approaches tailored to the specific conditions in each health zone. The campaign in Ituri focuses on large-scale distribution of antimalarial medications, part of broader malaria prevention and treatment strategies. The initiative is part of a coordinated national effort aimed at decreasing infection rates, severe cases, and malaria-related deaths.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths occurred globally in 2024. Africa bore approximately 95% of both cases and fatalities that year, with the continent reporting about 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of malaria deaths across Africa. WHO data show that children under five account for roughly three quarters of malaria deaths across the continent. These statistics position the DRC among the countries with the highest malaria burden worldwide.
The malaria burden remains predominantly an African issue
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains both preventable and treatable. Its early symptoms often include fever, chills, and headaches. If untreated, severe cases can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme exhaustion, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest species, Plasmodium falciparum, is most common across Africa. To combat transmission and prevent severe illness, health authorities deploy measures such as mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis is crucial since untreated falciparum malaria can rapidly become life-threatening.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo incorporated the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization schedule. The initial vaccination campaign commenced in Kongo Central province following the receipt of 693,500 doses. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine rollout alongside national health authorities and other partners. The vaccination program complements existing interventions like insecticide-treated nets, preventive medicines, diagnosis, and treatment, serving as an additional tool to protect young children from malaria.
The vaccination initiative enhances existing malaria control strategies
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates several comprehensive measures to combat malaria among high-risk populations. These include expanding access to newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets, providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and piloting seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Other components involve indoor residual spraying, larval habitat control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. Health authorities also plan to implement malaria surveillance and foster community engagement through the program. The overall goal is to safeguard 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 figures for cases and deaths announced by Dembo derive from reports by the national malaria programme. They are distinct from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which presently cover 2024. These latest national statistics demonstrate that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s response strategy includes drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign notably incorporates mass antimalarial drug distribution as part of ongoing efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality.