Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that is preventable and curable.

The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2022, the region was home to 94% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths. Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

Since October 2021, WHO recommends broad use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine among children living in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. The vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce malaria, and deadly severe malaria among young children.

A second malaria vaccine (R21) has been recommended by WHO in December 2023.

Malaria is transmitted through the bites of infected female mosquitoes.

The first symptoms – fever, headache and chills – usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite and may be mild and difficult to recognise as malaria. Left untreated, malaria can progress to severe illness and death within a period of 24 hours.