KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded a total of 26,064,143 malaria cases in 2025. During the same year, the country also reported 29,938 fatalities attributed to the disease. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these figures during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria remains the nation’s primary public health concern. These updated statistics reinforce the significant disease burden faced by one of Africa’s most heavily affected nations.
The National Malaria Control Programme announced these figures as health officials intensified malaria response initiatives in Ituri. Dembo stressed that ongoing control efforts should persist while authorities enhance interventions proven effective. He also urged the adoption of strategies tailored to the specific conditions within individual health zones. The initiative in Ituri focuses on mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign is part of broader efforts aimed at malaria prevention and treatment, coordinated by the programme to reduce infection rates, severe illnesses, and mortality related to malaria.
According to World Health Organization, an estimated 282 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2024, resulting in 610,000 deaths. Africa accounted for approximately 95% of both cases and fatalities that year, with an estimated 265 million cases and 579,000 deaths recorded within the region. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was responsible for 11.7% of malaria deaths in Africa. Children under five made up about three-quarters of all malaria deaths across the continent, according to WHO data. These figures place the country among the nations with the highest malaria burden globally.
Malaria’s Impact Remains Heavy in Africa
Malaria primarily spreads through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains both preventable and treatable. Its early symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches. If left untreated, severe infections can lead to breathing issues, seizures, exhaustion, and loss of consciousness. The deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is also the most common species found across Africa. To combat transmission and severe disease, health officials utilize mosquito nets, medicines, testing, and treatment. Prompt diagnosis is vital because untreated falciparum malaria can become life-threatening rapidly.
In October 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo incorporated the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization schedule. The initial rollout began in Kongo Central province after receiving 693,500 doses of the vaccine. This phase targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The WHO supported the vaccine introduction alongside national health agencies and other partners. The vaccination program complements existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets, prophylactic medicines, diagnosis, and treatment. The government introduced vaccination as an additional tool to protect young children from malaria.
Adding Vaccination to the Suite of Control Strategies
The country’s 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan combines multiple strategies to combat malaria in high-risk areas. These include expanding the distribution of newer insecticide-treated mosquito nets, providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and piloting seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Additional measures involve indoor residual spraying, larval control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based treatments. The plan also emphasizes malaria surveillance and community engagement. The overarching goal is to shield 80% of at-risk populations from the disease.
The case and death figures for 2025 released by Dembo derive from reports by the national malaria programme. They are separate from WHO’s modeled global estimates, which currently cover 2024. These latest national statistics demonstrate that malaria continues to affect millions throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorities are employing drug administration, vaccination, mosquito control, preventive medicines, and diagnostic services in their response. The Ituri campaign adds mass antimalarial drug distribution to existing measures as part of ongoing efforts to lower malaria-related illness and mortality.