BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded a total of 26,064,143 malaria infections, highlighting the enormous scope of the disease nationwide. Health officials also documented 29,938 fatalities related to malaria throughout the year. During the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province, Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, disclosed these statistics. The campaign aims to target regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and exerts significant pressure on healthcare services.
The authorities initiated the Ituri project across the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. This four-day effort seeks to reach more than one million residents with antimalarial medications. In the first half of 2026, Ituri reported over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 deaths. The campaign’s objective is to decrease infection rates and fever-related cases in affected communities, while also enabling health facilities to more efficiently identify other severe illnesses when patients present symptoms that could be mistaken for malaria.
Malaria remains one of the most significant health challenges globally. According to estimates for 2024, there were 282 million cases worldwide, resulting in approximately 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for around 95% of both infections and fatalities. Within the continent, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was responsible for 11.7% of malaria-related deaths. Young children under five continue to bear the brunt of the disease, underscoring its devastating impact on the most vulnerable populations in regions with ongoing transmission.
Malaria Continues to Pose a Major Public Health Threat in DRC
Malaria spreads primarily through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Typical symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches, with severe cases leading to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme weakness. The parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous strain, is responsible for most transmissions across Africa. Timely diagnosis and immediate treatment are vital in preventing severe complications and fatalities. Public health initiatives also emphasize the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, prophylactic medicines, indoor residual spraying, and community-based strategies to minimize mosquito bites and interrupt disease spread.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria prevention efforts by introducing the R21 vaccine. The initial phase was launched in Kongo Central after securing 693,500 doses for children. This rollout aimed to immunize 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine’s deployment along with national health agencies and partner organizations. Vaccination serves as an additional layer of defense alongside existing measures such as mosquito nets, prophylactic treatments, testing, and artemisinin-based medicines for confirmed cases.
The Treatment Campaign Enhances Broader Malaria Prevention Strategies
The national malaria plan for 2024 through 2028 integrates multiple approaches aimed at communities with persistent transmission. Strategies include deploying improved insecticide-treated nets, providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and piloting seasonal malaria chemoprevention. The plan also incorporates indoor residual spraying, larval habitat control, rapid diagnostic testing, and treatment with recommended antimalarial drugs. Surveillance and community involvement are crucial components of this comprehensive approach. Authorities aim to shield 80% of vulnerable populations from malaria.
The 2025 official figures reflect the latest data from the country’s malaria program, differing from international modeled estimates. They reveal that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing mass treatment effort in Ituri is part of a larger strategy that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Health officials are focusing resources on areas with high transmission levels to reduce infections, severe illness, and deaths caused by malaria.