BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented a total of 26,064,143 malaria cases, highlighting the extensive reach of the disease nationwide. During the same year, health officials also reported 29,938 deaths linked to malaria. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these statistics during the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. This campaign aims to target regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and puts significant strain on healthcare resources.
Beginning in Ituri, authorities initiated the campaign across the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over four days, the effort seeks to provide antimalarial medicines to more than one million individuals. In the first half of 2026, Ituri alone reported over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 fatalities. The purpose of the campaign is to reduce infection rates and fever cases in affected communities, while also enabling health facilities to better identify other serious illnesses presenting with similar symptoms.
Malaria remains one of the most significant health burdens globally, with the disease’s impact especially pronounced in Africa. For 2024, estimates indicate 282 million infections and approximately 610,000 deaths, with Africa accounting for roughly 95% of both cases and fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of malaria deaths within the African continent. Young children under five continue to suffer the highest mortality rates, underscoring the devastating effect of malaria on this vulnerable age group in high-transmission countries.
Malaria Continues to Pose a Major Public Health Challenge
Transmission of malaria primarily occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and headaches are common, but severe cases can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme fatigue. The most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, dominates the transmission landscape across Africa. Early detection and immediate treatment are essential in preventing severe illness and death. Strategies like insecticide-treated mosquito nets, prophylactic medications, indoor spraying, and community outreach are vital to decreasing mosquito exposure and interrupting the spread of malaria.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria control efforts with the rollout of the R21 vaccine. The initial phase launched in Kongo Central, following the receipt of 693,500 doses for children. This campaign targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. Support for the vaccine’s introduction came from the World Health Organization, in partnership with national health authorities and other health partners. Vaccination adds an essential layer of prevention, complementing existing measures such as mosquito nets, preventive medications, diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments for confirmed malaria cases.
Supplementing Prevention with a Wide-Ranging Treatment Campaign
The national malaria plan from 2024 to 2028 integrates various strategies to combat ongoing transmission, especially in high-risk communities. These include distributing newer insecticide-treated nets, providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and trialing seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional measures involve indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and treatment with recommended antimalarial medications. Community involvement and surveillance are also key components of this comprehensive approach. The goal set by authorities is to shield 80% of the vulnerable population from malaria.
The 2025 figures reflect the most recent official data from the country’s malaria program, differing from international modeled estimates. They clearly demonstrate that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing Ituri mass treatment campaign is part of an integrated response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. With targeted resource allocation toward heavily affected communities, health officials aim to reduce infections, severe complications, and mortality associated with malaria.