Malaria Cases Total 247 Million Worldwide, According To Report

…Nigeria and seven other countries dispersed fewer than 60% of ITNs.

According to a new World Health Organization estimate, the global number of malaria infections reached 247 million in 2021, up from 245 million in 2020 and 232 million in 2019.
According to the ‘World Malaria Report 2022,’ despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19, malaria cases and deaths remained constant in 2021.

According to the new data, countries around the world largely avoided further cuts to malaria prevention, testing, and treatment services in 2021.

According to this year’s world malaria report, there were an estimated 619,000 malaria deaths globally in 2021 compared to 625,000 in the first year of the pandemic. In 2019, before the pandemic struck, the number of deaths stood at 568,000.
“Following a marked increase in malaria cases and deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, malaria-affected countries redoubled their efforts and were able to mitigate the worst impacts of Covid-related disruptions to malaria services,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
“We face many challenges, but there are many reasons for hope. By strengthening the response, understanding and mitigating the risks, building resilience, and accelerating research, there is every reason to dream of a malaria-free future,” he added.

Raise Your Hands To Put An End To Malaria

In 2021, ITN distributions were strong overall and at similar levels to pre-pandemic years: 171 million ITNs planned for distribution, and 128 million (75 per cent) were distributed.

However, eight countries -Benin, Eritrea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Uganda, and Vanuatu, distributed less than 60 per cent of their ITNs, and seven countries -Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, India, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone, did not distribute any ITNs.

Meanwhile, the WHO said most countries succeeded in maintaining malaria testing and treatment during the pandemic.

“Despite supply chain and logistical challenges during the pandemic, malaria-endemic countries distributed a record number of rapid diagnostic tests to health facilities in 2020. In 2021, countries distributed 223 million RDTs, a similar level reported before the pandemic.

“Artemisinin-based combination therapies are the most effective treatment for P. falciparum malaria. Malaria-endemic countries delivered an estimated 242 million ACTs worldwide in 2021 compared to 239 million ACTs in 2019,” WHO said.

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