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. Throughout the same year, the country also reported 29,938 fatalities associated with the disease. The figures were revealed by Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, during a campaign launch event in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria continues to be the primary challenge to public health in the nation. These totals affirm the significant disease burden carried by one of Africa’s most heavily affected countries.
The National Malaria Control Programme released these statistics amid expanded malaria intervention efforts in Ituri. Dembo highlighted the importance of maintaining control strategies while strengthening interventions that have already shown progress. He also urged for tailored approaches suited to the specific conditions of individual health zones. The initiative in Ituri focuses on mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign is part of broader efforts to prevent and treat malaria, with the programme overseeing national initiatives aimed at lowering infection rates, severe cases, and fatalities linked to malaria.
According to World Health Organization, an estimated 282 million malaria cases occurred worldwide in 2024, resulting in 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for approximately 95% of both the global cases and deaths that year, with an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo represented 11.7% of malaria-related deaths across the African continent. Data from WHO indicates that about three-quarters of malaria deaths in Africa involve children under five. These statistics place the country among those with the highest malaria burdens globally.
Malaria Impact Continues to Concentrate in Africa
Malaria transmission primarily occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains both preventable and treatable. Early symptoms such as fever, chills, and headaches are common, but severe infections can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme fatigue, and impaired consciousness. The deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is also the most widespread species across Africa. To combat transmission and prevent severe disease, health authorities utilize mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis is vital because untreated falciparum malaria can become life-threatening rapidly.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo incorporated the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization schedule. The initial rollout took place in Kongo Central province after receiving 693,500 vaccine doses, targeting 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization collaborated with national health agencies and other partners to support this introduction. The vaccine adds to existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets, preventive medications, diagnosis, and treatment, serving as another tool to shield young children from malaria.
Adding Vaccination to the Malaria Control Arsenal
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple strategies to combat malaria in high-risk communities. These include increased distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and a pilot seasonal malaria chemoprevention program. Additional measures involve indoor residual spraying, larval habitat control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based therapies. The plan also emphasizes malaria surveillance and community engagement, aiming to protect 80% of at-risk populations.
The case and death figures for 2025 reported by Dembo derive from national malaria programme data. They are independent of WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently cover 2024. The latest national data underscores that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s response combines drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign introduces mass antimalarial drug administration as part of ongoing efforts to reduce malaria-related illness and fatalities.