KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria cases. The country also reported 29,938 deaths linked to the disease during the year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these numbers during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria remains the country’s most critical public health issue. These new figures highlight a significant disease burden in one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations.
The National Malaria Control Programme published these figures as health officials expanded malaria response activities in Ituri. Dembo stressed the importance of continuing control efforts and strengthening interventions that have already shown promise. He also urged for strategies tailored to the specific conditions in each health zone. The Ituri campaign focuses on mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This initiative is part of broader efforts to prevent and treat malaria. The programme oversees national measures to cut infections, severe cases, and deaths caused by malaria.
The World Health Organization estimated that there were 282 million malaria cases worldwide in 2024, with 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for about 95% of both cases and deaths that year. The continent saw approximately 265 million cases and 579,000 fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of malaria deaths in the African region. According to WHO data, children under five made up roughly three-quarters of all malaria deaths across Africa. These statistics place the DRC among the world’s highest-burden malaria nations.
Malaria Continues to Hit Africa Hard
Malaria spreads mainly through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains preventable and treatable. Common early symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches. Severe cases can lead to breathing issues, seizures, extreme fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest malaria parasite is Plasmodium falciparum. It is also the most common across Africa. To reduce transmission and prevent severe illness, health authorities rely on mosquito nets, medicines, testing, and treatment. Early diagnosis is crucial since untreated falciparum malaria can become life-threatening quickly.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo added the R21 malaria vaccine to its national immunization plan. The initial rollout started in Kongo Central province after receiving 693,500 doses. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the introduction alongside national health authorities and partners. The vaccine complements existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets, medicines, diagnosis, and treatment. Authorities see vaccination as another tool to protect young children from malaria.
Vaccination Strengthens Malaria Control Strategies
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan combines several strategies to fight malaria in high-risk communities. It includes wider distribution of newer insecticide-treated nets and preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants. The plan also features a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional measures include indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. Health authorities also plan to boost malaria surveillance and community involvement. The overall goal is to protect 80% of people at risk from malaria.
The 2025 case and death figures announced by Dembo come from national malaria reports. They are separate from WHO’s modeled global estimates for 2024. The latest national data shows that malaria still affects millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorities are using drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign adds mass antimalarial drug distribution to these efforts. The country continues its fight to reduce malaria illnesses and deaths.