Malaria cases have surged to an estimated 263 million in 2023, with a significant increase of around 11 million more cases than in the previous year. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that this marks another year of negligible progress against the disease.
The vast majority of malaria-related deaths – 597,000 – occurred among African children under the age of 5, with no child dying from the disease being considered acceptable. “No-one should die of malaria,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.”
Malaria cases have stalled since 2015, with a significant jump in mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current case numbers are not only higher due to population growth but also because of increased transmission rates. In 2023, there were 60.4 cases for every 1,000 people at risk, nearly three times the WHO’s target.
Several factors have hindered the response to malaria, including climate change, conflict, displacement, drug and insecticide resistance, and lack of funding. The WHO highlights that only $4 billion was available in 2023 to fight malaria, whereas an estimated $8.3 billion was needed. New tools are being developed to combat the disease, but they face significant challenges.
The WHO has expressed concern over the growing crisis, calling for increased efforts to combat malaria.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/malaria-cases-up-again-2023-african-children-worst-hit-who-reports-2024-12-11