The World Health Organization has announced that malaria-related deaths have dropped back to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This development follows years of disruptions caused by the pandemic, which led to a significant rise in malaria mortality, including an additional 55,000 deaths in 2020.
In its latest report, WHO estimated that there were 263 million malaria cases globally in 2023, 11 million more than the previous year. Despite the increase in cases, the global death toll for malaria remained stable, with around 597,000 deaths recorded last year.
Speaking about the progress, Arnaud Le Menach of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme said, “In terms of the mortality rate, we have come back to pre-pandemic numbers.”
While the overall mortality rate has decreased, WHO expressed concern over the slow pace of progress in reducing malaria deaths, particularly in Africa. The 2023 mortality rate in Africa was estimated at 52.4 deaths per 100,000 people at risk—more than twice the target set by a global malaria strategy for 2030. WHO emphasized that “progress must be accelerated.”
One of the key developments in the fight against malaria is the introduction of vaccines. The RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M vaccines, which target the mosquito-borne parasite that causes malaria, are expected to save tens of thousands of lives annually, particularly in Africa, where 95% of malaria deaths occur.
Mary Hamel, head of WHO’s malaria vaccine team, highlighted the impact of the vaccines, saying, “We saw in the three pilot countries [Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana] a 13-percent drop in mortality during the four years of the pilot programme.”
By the end of 2023, nearly two million children in these countries had received the RTS,S vaccine. WHO noted that 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have now incorporated malaria vaccines into their immunization programs, with eight more countries approved for funding through the vaccine alliance GAVI.
Another advancement is the wider availability of new-generation insecticide-treated nets. These dual-insecticide nets use a combination of pyrrole and pyrethroid insecticides, offering better protection against malaria. WHO estimated earlier this year that these nets had prevented 13 million malaria cases and nearly 25,000 deaths over the past three years.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. WHO highlighted the impacts of limited vaccine supplies, insufficient funding, and climate change, which is expanding the habitat of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
“Stepped-up investments and action in high-burden African countries are needed to curb the threat,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, echoed these sentiments, warning, “Progress has stagnated for several years. To overcome this, we must accelerate our efforts through a dual approach: investing in new technologies while simultaneously easing the strain that climate change places on healthcare systems.”
