KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 26,064,143 malaria cases in 2025. 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, announced the figures during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo said malaria remains the country’s main public health challenge. The new totals confirm a heavy disease burden across one of Africa’s most malaria-affected countries.
The figures were released by the National Malaria Control Programme amid an expansion of malaria response activities in Ituri by health authorities. Dembo emphasized that control efforts must persist while strengthening interventions that have already demonstrated positive results. He also urged for approaches tailored to the specific conditions of individual health zones. The initiative in Ituri focuses on the mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign is part of broader malaria prevention and treatment initiatives. The programme oversees nationwide measures aimed at lowering infection rates, severe cases, and malaria-related fatalities.
According to World Health Organization, an estimated 282 million malaria cases worldwide occurred in 2024, along with 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for approximately 95% of both global malaria cases and fatalities that year. The continent experienced around 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of the continent’s malaria deaths. Data from WHO indicates that children under five make up about three-quarters of malaria fatalities across Africa. These statistics place DRC among the countries with the highest malaria burden globally.
Malaria Impact Remains Heaviest in Africa
Malaria is primarily transmitted through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and is both preventable and treatable. Its early symptoms often include fever, chills, and headaches. In severe cases, the infection can cause breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest malaria parasite is Plasmodium falciparum, which is also the most common species found across Africa. To combat transmission and prevent severe illness, health agencies utilize mosquito nets, medications, diagnostic testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis remains crucial because untreated falciparum malaria can quickly turn fatal.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo incorporated the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization schedule. The initial deployment began in Kongo Central province after the country received 693,500 vaccine doses. The first phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported this rollout alongside national health authorities and other health partners. The vaccination program complements existing strategies such as insecticide-treated nets, preventive medications, testing, and treatment. Authorities introduced vaccination as an additional tool to safeguard young children from malaria.
Vaccine Introduction Enhances Existing Malaria Control Strategies
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple measures to combat malaria in high-risk populations. These include the broader distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and a pilot seasonal malaria chemoprevention program. Additional efforts involve indoor residual spraying, larval habitat management, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. The plan also emphasizes malaria surveillance and community outreach. Its overarching goal is to protect 80% of populations at risk of infection.
The case and death figures for 2025 released by Dembo are derived from national malaria reporting. They are distinct from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently cover 2024. These latest national statistics demonstrate that malaria remains a significant health issue affecting millions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s response strategies include drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The mass antimalarial drug campaign in Ituri adds to these efforts, as the nation continues working to reduce both malaria cases and fatalities.
}**