KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria infections. The nation also reported 29,938 fatalities associated with the disease during that year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these statistics during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria remains the leading public health issue in the country. These figures highlight the significant disease burden faced by one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations.
The release of these figures coincided with an expansion of malaria control activities in Ituri by health authorities. Dembo stressed the importance of maintaining control measures while intensifying interventions that have proven effective. He also urged tailoring strategies to suit specific conditions within individual health zones. The Ituri initiative focuses on mass distribution of antimalarial drugs. This campaign is part of broader efforts to prevent and treat malaria, with the national programme coordinating actions to reduce infection rates, severe cases, and mortality.
World Health Organization estimates indicate that there were 282 million malaria cases worldwide in 2024, resulting in 610,000 deaths. Africa bore approximately 95% of both cases and deaths, with the region recording roughly 265 million cases and 579,000 fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 11.7% of malaria deaths in Africa. Children under five represented about three quarters of malaria-related deaths across the continent, according to WHO data. These statistics position the country among the highest-burden malaria settings globally.
The malaria burden remains concentrated in Africa
Malaria is primarily transmitted through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains preventable and treatable. Early symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches, while severe cases can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, extreme fatigue, and unconsciousness. The most lethal species, Plasmodium falciparum, is also the most common across Africa. To combat transmission and prevent severe illness, health authorities employ mosquito nets, medications, testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis is critical since 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 began in Kongo Central province, which received 693,500 vaccine doses. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported this introduction alongside national health officials and other partners. The vaccination complements existing strategies such as insecticide-treated nets, preventive medicines, diagnostics, and treatment, offering another tool to shield young children from malaria.
Vaccine deployment enhances national malaria control efforts
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan integrates multiple measures targeting high-risk communities. These include broader distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional interventions involve indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based therapies. The plan also emphasizes malaria surveillance and community engagement, aiming to protect 80% of populations at risk.
The figures for cases and deaths in 2025, announced by Dembo, derive from the national malaria programme’s reporting. They are distinct from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently cover 2024. These latest national data confirm that malaria continues to impact millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Efforts include drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive treatment, and diagnostic services. The Ituri campaign’s addition of mass antimalarial drug administration underscores the country’s ongoing commitment to reducing malaria-related illness and fatalities.