BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a total of 26,064,143 malaria infections, illustrating the widespread impact of the disease nationwide. During the same period, health officials also documented 29,938 fatalities related to malaria. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these figures during the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. This campaign aims to address areas where malaria continues to be a leading cause of sickness and a significant strain on healthcare services.
The Ituri campaign was initiated across the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over four days, the operation seeks to provide antimalarial medication to more than one million residents. In the first half of 2026, Ituri reported over 373,000 cases of malaria and 106 deaths. The initiative seeks to lower infection rates and reduce fever incidences within affected communities. Additionally, health authorities hope to improve the capacity of health facilities to diagnose other serious illnesses when patients arrive with symptoms similar to malaria.
The malaria burden in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains among the highest worldwide. Global estimates for 2024 suggest there were 282 million infections, resulting in roughly 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for approximately 95% of both cases and fatalities. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed to 11.7% of malaria-related deaths within the continent. Children under five continue to represent the majority of malaria deaths across Africa, underscoring the disease’s devastating impact on young children in regions with ongoing transmission.
Malaria Continues to Pose a Major Threat to Public Health
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms often include fever, chills, and headaches, while severe cases can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme weakness. The most dangerous parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, dominates transmission across Africa. Early detection and immediate treatment are crucial in preventing severe illness and death. Strategies such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, prophylactic medicines, indoor residual spraying, and community engagement are vital components of efforts to cut transmission and protect vulnerable populations.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria prevention measures with the rollout of the R21 vaccine. The initial phase took place in Kongo Central, where 693,500 doses were administered to children. This vaccination campaign targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. Support from the World Health Organization helped facilitate the vaccine’s introduction alongside national health authorities and partners. The addition of vaccination provides another layer of defense, complementing existing tools such as mosquito nets, preventive medicines, testing, and artemisinin-based treatments for confirmed cases.
The Treatment Campaign Enhances Broader Prevention Strategies
The national malaria strategy for 2024 through 2028 employs multiple approaches to address persistent transmission in vulnerable communities. Plans include deploying newer insecticide-treated nets, offering preventive treatment to pregnant women and infants, and piloting seasonal malaria chemoprevention. The strategy also involves indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and treatment with recommended antimalarial medicines. Surveillance activities and community participation are integral to these efforts. Authorities aim to protect 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 figures represent the latest official data from the country’s malaria programme and differ from modeled international estimates. They reaffirm that malaria continues to affect tens of millions of people across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ituri mass treatment initiative now forms part of a comprehensive response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Continued resource allocation targets high-transmission areas as authorities strive to reduce infections, severe cases, and fatalities linked to malaria.