KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented a total of 26,064,143 malaria cases. During the same year, the nation also reported 29,938 fatalities associated with the disease. Guy Esebe Dembo, who serves as the deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these statistics during the launch of a campaign in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria continues to be the primary public health concern facing the country. The latest figures reaffirm the significant disease burden burdening one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations by malaria.
The National Malaria Control Programme released these data amid increased efforts by health authorities to combat malaria in Ituri. Dembo highlighted the importance of ongoing control initiatives and urged strengthening interventions that have demonstrated positive results. He also stressed the need for tailored approaches suitable for the specific conditions of individual health zones. The Ituri project primarily involves mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign was launched as part of broader strategies aimed at malaria prevention and treatment. The programme oversees national actions focused on decreasing infection rates, severe illness, and deaths caused by malaria.
According to World Health Organization, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases worldwide in 2024, with approximately 610,000 lives lost. Africa accounted for roughly 95% of both cases and deaths globally that year, recording an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo represented 11.7% of the continent’s malaria-related deaths. WHO data indicates that children under five years old made up about three-quarters of all malaria deaths across Africa. These statistics place the country among the highest-burden regions globally for malaria.
Malaria’s Impact Continues to Concentrate in Africa
Malaria transmission primarily occurs via bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite its prevalence, malaria remains both preventable and treatable. Early symptoms typically include fever, chills, and headaches. If untreated, severe cases can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest species, Plasmodium falciparum, is also the most widespread across Africa. To curb transmission and prevent severe illness, health authorities rely on mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment strategies. Prompt diagnosis is crucial because 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 phase took place in Kongo Central province following the receipt of 693,500 vaccine doses. This phase aimed to vaccinate 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine’s introduction alongside national health authorities and other health partners. The vaccination program complements existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets, prophylactic medicines, testing, and treatment. Authorities introduced immunization as an additional tool to safeguard young children from malaria.
The Vaccine Campaign Enhances Ongoing Control Strategies
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple approaches targeting high-risk communities. These include expanding the distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets and providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants. Additionally, a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention is part of the plan. Other efforts involve indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. The plan also emphasizes malaria surveillance and community participation. The overarching goal is to protect 80% of individuals at risk from malaria.
The 2025 figures for cases and fatalities announced by Dembo are based on reports from the national malaria programme. They are distinct from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently focus on 2024. These recent national statistics demonstrate that malaria continues to affect millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s response includes drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign adds mass antimalarial drug distribution to these efforts, reflecting the ongoing drive to reduce malaria-related illnesses and deaths nationwide.