BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 26,064,143 malaria cases, highlighting the widespread nature of the disease across the nation. During the same year, health officials also recorded 29,938 deaths linked to malaria. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, presented these statistics at the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. The campaign aims to address regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and places substantial pressure on healthcare systems.
The Ituri intervention was initiated in the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over four days, the campaign targets over one million individuals with antimalarial medications. In the first half of 2026, Ituri reported more than 373,000 malaria cases and 106 fatalities. The health teams are leveraging this operation to cut down on malaria infections and fever cases in affected communities. Officials also seek to improve the capacity of health facilities to swiftly identify other serious health conditions when patients arrive with symptoms that may resemble malaria.
Malaria’s burden in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains among the highest globally. According to global estimates for 2024, there were 282 million infections and approximately 610,000 deaths caused by the disease. Africa accounts for about 95% of both cases and fatalities, with the DRC responsible for 11.7% of malaria deaths within the region. Children under five continue to represent the majority of malaria-related deaths across Africa, emphasizing the disease’s devastating impact on young children in areas with ongoing transmission.
Malaria Continues to Pose a Significant Health Challenge in the Country
Transmission primarily occurs through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Typical symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches, while severe cases may lead to seizures, respiratory issues, and extreme weakness. Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite, drives the majority of transmissions across Africa. Early detection and immediate treatment can prevent many severe cases and fatalities. The country’s health strategies also incorporate insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive medications, indoor spraying, and community-driven efforts to diminish mosquito exposure and break the cycle of transmission.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded its fight against malaria by rolling out the R21 vaccine. The initial phase launched in Kongo Central after receiving 693,500 doses for children. This rollout targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccine’s introduction in partnership with national health authorities and health organizations. Vaccination offers an additional layer of protection alongside existing measures like mosquito nets, preventive medicine, testing, and artemisinin-based treatments for confirmed malaria cases.
The Treatment Campaign Complements Broader Prevention Strategies
The national malaria plan for 2024 to 2028 adopts an integrated approach targeting communities with persistent transmission. It includes deploying newer insecticide-treated nets, providing preventive treatments for pregnant women and infants, and piloting seasonal malaria chemoprevention. The program also involves indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and treatment with recommended antimalarial medications. Surveillance efforts and community engagement are integral to this framework, with authorities aiming to protect 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 official figures reflect the latest data from the country’s malaria program and differ from international modeled estimates. They demonstrate that malaria continues to impact millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing mass treatment campaign in Ituri now forms a component of a comprehensive response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Health authorities remain focused on directing resources to areas with intense transmission to curb infections, reduce severe illness, and prevent deaths caused by malaria.