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. The country also saw 29,938 fatalities associated with the disease within that year. During a campaign launch in Ituri province, Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, publicly shared these figures. Dembo emphasized that malaria remains the primary public health obstacle for the nation. These updated numbers underscore the significant disease burden confronting one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations by malaria.
The National Malaria Control Programme released these statistics amid the expansion of malaria response initiatives in Ituri. Dembo stressed the importance of maintaining control efforts while also enhancing interventions that have already demonstrated effectiveness. Additionally, he urged for strategies tailored to the specific conditions of individual health zones. The initiative in Ituri focuses on widespread administration of antimalarial medications. This campaign forms part of broader efforts aimed at malaria prevention and treatment. The programme orchestrates national actions to reduce infection rates, severe cases, and deaths caused by malaria.
The World Health Organization estimated that there were 282 million malaria cases globally in 2024, resulting in 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for roughly 95% of these cases and fatalities during that year. The region recorded an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of the continent’s malaria deaths. According to WHO data, children under five years old made up about three-quarters of all malaria fatalities across Africa. These figures place the country among those with the highest malaria burdens worldwide.
The malaria burden remains heavily centered in Africa
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains a preventable and curable disease. Common early symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches. When severe, infections can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme fatigue, and impaired consciousness. The deadliest and most widespread malaria parasite in Africa is Plasmodium falciparum. To combat transmission and prevent severe illness, health authorities deploy mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis is crucial 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 phase of vaccination started in Kongo Central province following the receipt of 693,500 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 officials and other health partners. This vaccination complements existing prevention measures such as insecticide-treated nets, preventive medications, diagnosis, and treatment. The national authorities introduced vaccination as an additional tool to safeguard young children against malaria.
The vaccine deployment enhances the country’s comprehensive malaria control strategy
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple measures targeting high-risk populations. These include broader distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets and preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants. The plan also features a pilot project for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional strategies involve indoor residual spraying, larval habitat management, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. Furthermore, health authorities plan to implement malaria surveillance and community engagement initiatives. The overarching goal of this strategy is to protect 80% of individuals at risk from malaria.
The figures for cases and deaths in 2025, as announced by Dembo, derive from the national malaria programme’s reporting. They are distinct from the World Health Organization’s modeled global estimates, which currently focus on 2024. These latest national statistics reveal that malaria continues to impact millions throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To respond effectively, health authorities utilize drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatments, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign, which includes mass antimalarial drug administration, is part of ongoing efforts to decrease malaria-related illness and fatalities across the country.