BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – During 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented a total of 26,064,143 malaria infections, highlighting the widespread nature of the disease nationwide. The health authorities also reported 29,938 deaths linked to malaria for that year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these figures at the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. The campaign targets areas where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and puts significant strain on healthcare services.
The Ituri intervention was rolled out across the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over a span of four days, the operation aims to reach more than one million residents with antimalarial medications. In the first half of 2026, Ituri alone recorded over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 deaths. The health teams are utilizing this campaign to curb malaria infections and fever cases within affected communities. Additionally, officials aim to enable health facilities to better identify other serious illnesses when patients present symptoms that could be mistaken for malaria.
Malaria remains among the most significant health challenges in the country. Global projections for 2024 estimate 282 million malaria cases worldwide, resulting in approximately 610,000 deaths. Africa accounts for roughly 95% of both cases and fatalities, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo responsible for 11.7% of malaria deaths across the continent. Children under five continue to represent the majority of malaria-related deaths in Africa, underscoring the disease’s severe impact on young children in regions with ongoing transmission.
Malaria continues to impose a heavy health burden nationally
Transmission primarily occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and headaches are common, while severe cases can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme weakness. The most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, dominates transmission across Africa. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment are crucial for preventing severe illness and fatalities. The country’s health programs also employ insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive medications, indoor spraying, and community-focused efforts to minimize exposure and interrupt the spread of malaria.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its malaria control efforts with the deployment of the R21 vaccine. The initial phase started in Kongo Central after the country received 693,500 doses for children. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine rollout along with national health authorities and partners. Vaccination now provides an additional layer of prevention alongside existing strategies such as mosquito nets, prophylactic treatments, testing, and artemisinin-based medicines for confirmed infections.
The treatment campaign complements broader prevention initiatives
The national malaria plan for 2024-2028 integrates multiple approaches aimed at communities with persistent transmission. These include the distribution of newer insecticide-treated nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and a pilot program for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. The strategy also encompasses indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and treatment with recommended antimalarial drugs. Surveillance activities and community involvement are integral components of this framework. The goal is to protect 80% of individuals deemed at risk of malaria.
The 2025 figures reflect the most recent data from the country’s malaria program and differ from international modeled estimates. They demonstrate that malaria continues to impact tens of millions of people across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing Ituri mass treatment campaign is now part of a comprehensive response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts. Health authorities remain focused on directing resources to communities with high transmission rates as they work to reduce infections, severe cases, and fatalities associated with malaria.