BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented a total of 26,064,143 malaria infections, illustrating the widespread prevalence of the disease across the nation. During the same year, health officials also recorded 29,938 fatalities linked to malaria. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these statistics at the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. The campaign aims to target regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and places significant strain on healthcare services.
The campaign was deployed throughout the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over the course of four days, it seeks to provide antimalarial treatment to more than one million individuals. In the first half of 2026, Ituri experienced over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 deaths. These efforts are part of an initiative to reduce infection rates and fever cases in affected communities. Officials also intend for health centers to enhance their ability to identify other serious health conditions promptly when patients present symptoms that might be mistaken for malaria.
Malaria remains one of the most severe health challenges globally. The latest global estimates for 2024 indicate 282 million infections and approximately 610,000 deaths worldwide. Africa bears the brunt, accounting for about 95% of both cases and fatalities. In the African region, the Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of malaria-related deaths. Young children under the age of five continue to be disproportionately affected, underscoring the disease’s substantial impact on this vulnerable group in regions with ongoing transmission.
Malaria Continues to Be a Significant Public Health Issue
Transmission primarily occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include fever, chills, and headaches, but severe cases can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme fatigue. The most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, dominates transmission across Africa. Early detection and immediate treatment can prevent many severe outcomes and fatalities. Preventive strategies such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, prophylactic medicines, indoor spraying, and community-based interventions are crucial in reducing exposure and interrupting transmission pathways.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria prevention efforts with the rollout of the R21 vaccine. The initial phase started in Kongo Central, following the receipt of 693,500 doses for children. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine deployment alongside the national health authorities and partners. The vaccination program supplements existing measures like mosquito nets, preventive treatment, testing, and artemisinin-based medicines for confirmed cases.
Additional Treatment Campaigns Complement Broader Prevention Strategies
The national malaria strategy for 2024-2028 integrates multiple approaches targeting communities with ongoing transmission. These include the distribution of new insecticide-treated nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and a seasonal malaria chemoprevention pilot project. The plan also involves indoor residual spraying, larval source management, rapid diagnostic testing, and administration of recommended antimalarial medications. Surveillance activities and community involvement are integral to this framework, with a goal to shield 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 official figures represent the latest data from the country’s malaria program and differ from international modeled estimates. They reaffirm that malaria continues to affect millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ituri mass treatment campaign now forms part of a comprehensive response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts. Health authorities remain focused on channeling resources into high-transmission communities to curb infections, severe health outcomes, and mortality associated with the disease.