WHO Reports Malaria Mortality Rates Stabilize to Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria mortality rates have returned to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization, however, emphasizes the need for accelerated efforts to combat this deadly disease, which claimed nearly 597,000 lives in the previous year.
The WHO's findings indicate that there were approximately 263 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2023, an increase of 11 million cases compared to the previous year. Despite the rise in cases, the overall death toll has remained relatively stable. The mortality rate has reverted to pre-pandemic figures, with Arnaud Le Menach from the WHO's Global Malaria Program highlighting the importance of continued progress in fighting the disease.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to malaria control efforts, resulting in an additional 55,000 deaths that year alone. Since then, there has been a gradual decline in both the number of malaria-related deaths and the mortality rate. Nevertheless, the estimated mortality rate in Africa stands at 52.4 deaths per 100,000 population at risk, more than double the target set by the global strategy aimed at combating malaria through 2030. The WHO stressed that swift action is essential to achieve these targets.
The introduction of malaria vaccines presents a promising advancement in the fight against this disease. The WHO reports that the rollout of the RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M vaccines could potentially save tens of thousands of young lives annually. These vaccines were first introduced in Malawi in April 2019, followed by their deployment in Kenya and Ghana. By the end of 2023, nearly two million children in these nations had received doses of the RTS,S vaccine, resulting in a recorded 13% reduction in mortality over the four years of the pilot program.
Mary Hamel, who leads the WHO's malaria vaccine team, expressed optimism about similar outcomes in other countries as they introduce the vaccines. Currently, 17 nations across sub-Saharan Africa have integrated the vaccines into their routine immunization schedules, with another eight countries poised to receive funding to support vaccine introduction through GAVI, the vaccine alliance.
Additionally, the advent of new-generation dual-insecticide nets has improved malaria prevention efforts. Coated with a combination of a novel pyrrole insecticide and a standard pyrethroid insecticide, these nets have demonstrated significantly enhanced protection against malaria. The WHO estimates that such nets have prevented 13 million cases and nearly 25,000 deaths over a three-year period.
Despite these advancements, the WHO has noted several challenges hindering progress in the fight against malaria. Key issues include a lack of funding, insufficient vaccine supplies, and the impact of climate change, which is facilitating the broader spread of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the urgent need for increased investments and decisive actions in high-burden African countries to mitigate these threats.
The Global Fund, an organization dedicated to combating AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, echoed these sentiments. Executive Director Peter Sands warned that progress has stagnated in recent years and called for an intensified dual approach that prioritizes investments in new technologies while addressing the strains that climate change imposes on healthcare systems.
