Global Impact of 249 Million Malaria Cases and 608,000 Deaths

Global Malaria Report Highlights Ongoing Challenges and Progress in 2022

Geneva-  The World Health Organization (WHO) released its annual World Malaria Report for the year 2022, presenting a comprehensive overview of the global malaria landscape. Despite ongoing efforts to combat the disease, the report outlines key challenges and milestones in the fight against malaria.

Key Facts from the Report:

Disease Burden in 2022:

• Estimated 249 million malaria cases globally.
• 608,000 malaria deaths reported in 85 countries.
• WHO African Region bears 94% of global malaria cases (233 million) and 95% of deaths (580,000).
• Children under 5 account for 80% of malaria deaths in the Region.

Overview of Malaria:

• Life-threatening disease transmitted by certain mosquitoes.
• Predominantly found in tropical countries; preventable and curable.
• Caused by a parasite and not spread from person to person.
• Symptoms range from mild (fever, chills, headache) to severe (fatigue, confusion, seizures, difficulty breathing).
• Infants, children under 5, pregnant women, travelers, and individuals with HIV or AIDS at higher risk of severe infection.

Disease Transmission and Parasite Species:

• Mainly transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Five Plasmodium parasite species cause malaria in humans.
• P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest threat.
• P. falciparum is the deadliest and most prevalent in Africa; P. vivax dominates outside sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria Prevention and Control:

Vector Control:

• Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are core interventions.
• Emerging resistance to insecticides poses a threat.

Chemoprophylaxis:

• Travelers to malaria-endemic areas should consult doctors for preventive medicines.

Preventive Chemotherapies:

• Strategies include perennial malaria chemoprevention, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and school-aged children, post-discharge malaria chemoprevention, and mass drug administration.

Malaria Vaccine:

• RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M vaccines recommended for children in high-transmission areas.
• Two vaccines expected to facilitate broad-scale deployment across Africa.

Treatment:

• Early diagnosis crucial; all suspected cases should undergo parasite-based diagnostic testing.
• Artemisinin-based combination therapy most effective for P. falciparum malaria.
• Other medicines used based on malaria type, drug resistance, patient age, and pregnancy.

Antimalarial Drug Resistance:

• Partial artemisinin resistance reported in the Greater Mekong subregion.
• Concerns about emerging resistance in Africa; regular monitoring essential.

Malaria Elimination:

• 34 countries reported fewer than 1000 indigenous cases in 2022.
• 12 countries certified malaria-free since 2015, including China, Algeria, and Belize.

Surveillance:

• Continuous collection, analysis, and interpretation of malaria-related data crucial for effective public health interventions.
• Strong surveillance systems aid in monitoring changing disease patterns.

WHO Response and Global Targets:

• Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030, updated in 2021, provides a framework for malaria-endemic countries.
• Targets include reducing malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030, eliminating malaria in 35 countries, and preventing resurgence in malaria-free countries.
• WHO’s Global Malaria Programme coordinates global efforts, shaping research agendas, developing global guidance, and monitoring trends.

The release of the World Malaria Report emphasizes the continued commitment to tackling malaria’s global impact, underscoring the need for sustained efforts and innovative strategies to achieve meaningful progress.