KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria cases. During the same year, the country also reported 29,938 deaths associated with the disease. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, disclosed these figures at a campaign launch in Ituri province. He emphasized that malaria remains the country’s primary public health obstacle. These new figures confirm the substantial burden of the disease across one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations.
The National Malaria Control Programme released this data as health officials intensified malaria control efforts in Ituri. Dembo stressed the importance of ongoing control measures while advocating for the reinforcement of interventions that have already demonstrated positive outcomes. He also highlighted the need for tailored strategies suited to the specific conditions of individual health zones. The Ituri initiative focuses on mass distribution of antimalarial medications. The campaign was launched as part of broader malaria prevention and treatment initiatives. The program oversees nationwide actions aimed at decreasing infection rates, severe cases, and fatalities related to malaria.
The World Health Organization estimated that there were 282 million malaria cases globally in 2024, with 610,000 associated deaths. In Africa, approximately 95% of these cases and deaths were recorded that year. The continent experienced an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 11.7% of the continent’s malaria-related fatalities. According to WHO data, children under five made up about three quarters of all malaria deaths across Africa. These statistics place the DRC among the countries with the highest malaria burden worldwide.
Malaria Impact Concentrates in Africa
Malaria transmission mainly occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, yet it remains preventable and treatable. Early symptoms often include fever, chills, and headaches. If untreated, severe infections can lead to breathing issues, seizures, profound fatigue, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is the most common across Africa. To curb transmission and prevent severe disease, health authorities rely on 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 began in Kongo Central province, following the receipt of 693,500 vaccine doses. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The rollout was supported by WHO alongside national health authorities and other partners. The vaccination complements existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets, prophylactic medicines, and effective diagnosis and treatment. The government introduced vaccination as an additional tool to protect young children from malaria.
Adding Vaccination to the National Malaria Strategy
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple strategies to combat malaria in high-risk communities. These include expanded 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. Other components include indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based combination therapies. Furthermore, health authorities aim to enhance malaria surveillance and foster community participation through the program. The overarching goal is to safeguard 80% of individuals considered vulnerable to malaria.
The case and death figures announced by Dembo for 2025 are based on data from the national malaria program. They are separate from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently focus on 2024. These latest national statistics demonstrate that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The government’s response includes drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign specifically incorporates mass antimalarial drug distribution as part of ongoing efforts to reduce illness and mortality caused by malaria.