BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s malaria crisis intensified in 2025, with the country recording 26,064,143 malaria cases, highlighting the widespread impact of the disease nationwide. During the same year, health officials also reported 29,938 deaths related to malaria. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these statistics during the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. This campaign aims to target regions where malaria continues to be a leading cause of illness and puts additional strain on healthcare resources.
The initiative was rolled out across the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara in Ituri. Over four days, the operation seeks to administer antimalarial medications to more than one million residents. In the first half of 2026, Ituri alone reported over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 deaths. The campaign’s primary goal is to lower infection rates and reduce fever cases in affected communities, while also enabling health facilities to more effectively identify other serious illnesses that may resemble malaria symptoms upon patient admission.
Malaria remains among the most significant health burdens in the world, with global estimates for 2024 indicating 282 million infections and approximately 610,000 deaths. Africa accounts for nearly 95% of both cases and fatalities, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo responsible for 11.7% of malaria deaths within the continent. Young children under the age of five continue to be the most affected demographic, emphasizing the disease’s impact on the continent’s youngest populations in regions with ongoing transmission.
Malaria continues to be a critical public health issue
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and headaches are common, but severe cases may lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme weakness. Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite, dominates transmission across Africa. Early detection and swift treatment are essential to prevent severe illness and fatalities. Public health efforts include insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive medications, indoor spraying, and community-based initiatives aimed at reducing mosquito exposure and halting transmission.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria prevention strategies with the deployment of the R21 vaccine. The initial phase took place in Kongo Central, where 693,500 doses were distributed to children. This campaign targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine rollout alongside national health authorities and partners. Vaccination adds an additional layer of protection, complementing existing measures such as mosquito nets, preventive treatments, testing, and artemisinin-based medicines for confirmed cases.
The treatment campaign supplements broader prevention strategies
The national malaria strategy for 2024 through 2028 integrates various approaches to address ongoing transmission. These include the distribution of newer insecticide-treated nets, preventive treatments for pregnant women and infants, and a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional efforts encompass indoor residual spraying, larval habitat control, rapid diagnostic testing, and the administration of recommended antimalarial medicines. Community engagement and surveillance are integral components of the plan, with authorities aiming to protect 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 reported figures from the country’s malaria program underscore the persistent burden, differing from modeled international estimates. They reaffirm that malaria continues to impact tens of millions of people across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The current mass treatment campaign in Ituri is part of a comprehensive response that also involves vaccination, preventive measures, diagnosis, and treatment. The government remains focused on targeting high-transmission areas to reduce infection rates, severe illnesses, and fatalities caused by malaria.