BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported over 26 million cases of malaria, highlighting the disease’s widespread impact across the country. Officials also documented nearly 30,000 deaths linked to malaria in the same year. During the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province, Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, announced these figures. The campaign aims to target regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and a significant strain on healthcare services.
The government initiated the Ituri operation in the health zones of Bunia, Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara. Over four days, more than one million individuals are to receive antimalarial treatment. In the first half of 2026, Ituri alone reported over 373,000 malaria cases and 106 fatalities. The campaign’s goal is to reduce infections and fever cases, while also improving the ability of health centers to diagnose other serious illnesses that may present with similar symptoms.
The malaria burden in the DRC remains among the highest globally. International estimates for 2024 suggest there were 282 million infections and approximately 610,000 deaths. Africa accounts for about 95% of both cases and fatalities, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo responsible for 11.7% of malaria deaths within the continent. Young children under five continue to be most affected, underscoring the disease’s devastating toll on early childhood in areas with ongoing transmission.
Malaria Continues to Pose a Major Public Health Challenge
Malaria is primarily transmitted through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms often include fever, chills, and headaches; severe cases can lead to seizures, breathing difficulties, and extreme weakness. The most dangerous strain, Plasmodium falciparum, dominates transmission across Africa. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial in preventing severe illness and death. Strategies such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, preventive medication, indoor spraying, and community efforts are vital in reducing exposure and interrupting transmission chains.
The DRC launched the R21 malaria vaccine in October 2024, expanding its prevention arsenal. The initial rollout began in Kongo Central, where 693,500 doses were distributed to children. This effort targeted 173,375 children across 31 health zones. The World Health Organization supported the vaccination initiative alongside national health authorities and partners. Vaccination now complements existing measures such as mosquito nets, preventive treatments, testing, and artemisinin-based medicines for confirmed cases.
The Treatment Campaign Supports Broader Malaria Prevention Strategies
The national malaria strategy from 2024 to 2028 combines multiple approaches to combat persistent transmission. It includes deploying newer insecticide-treated nets, providing preventive treatment for pregnant women and infants, and conducting seasonal malaria chemoprevention pilot programs. The plan also emphasizes indoor residual spraying, larval source management, rapid diagnostic testing, and administering recommended antimalarial drugs. Surveillance and community involvement are integrated into these efforts, with the aim of protecting 80% of at-risk populations from malaria.
The 2025 official figures reflect the latest data from the country’s malaria control program, which differ from international modeled estimates. They demonstrate that malaria continues to affect tens of millions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing mass treatment in Ituri is now part of a comprehensive response that includes vaccination, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The government remains focused on directing resources to heavily affected communities to reduce infections, severe illness, and mortality caused by malaria.