Billions of malaria cases have been prevented this century – WHO

Fatai Kasali

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that nearly 2.2 billion malaria cases have been prevented since 2000 through measures such as risk education, the use of mosquito nets, and vaccination programmes. This was revealed in a report published in Geneva on Wednesday.

According to the WHO, around 12.7 million deaths have been averted as a result of these efforts. The report also highlighted that 17 countries now routinely vaccinate young children against malaria, which the WHO believes could save tens of thousands of lives annually.

Malaria, the most common tropical disease, is caused by a parasite transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which typically bite in the evening and at night. The most common symptoms include high fever and aching limbs, but the disease can be treated with medication.

However, the report also estimated that malaria claimed the lives of approximately 597,000 people in 2023, showing a slight decline in fatalities. Despite this, infections increased by 4 per cent, reaching a total of 263 million cases. The report noted that 95 per cent of malaria-related deaths occurred in African countries.

The WHO warned that far too many people still lack access to prevention, diagnosis, or treatment for the disease, with young children being particularly vulnerable. Despite these challenges, the organisation announced that malaria has now been eradicated in 44 countries, including the French Indian Ocean territory of La Réunion. Of the 83 countries where malaria remains prevalent, 25 now report fewer than 10 cases per year. In Africa, the mortality rate has been reduced by 16 per cent since 2015.

While the progress made in malaria prevention is significant, the WHO stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure that more people, particularly in high-risk areas, can access the necessary tools to combat the disease.