The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded approximately 26.06 million malaria cases in 2025, resulting in 29,938 deaths, according to figures released by the country’s National Malaria Control Program. The data were announced by Dr. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the program, during the launch of a mass antimalarial drug administration campaign in Ituri Province.
Malaria remains one of the biggest public health challenges in the DRC, placing significant pressure on healthcare facilities and communities. Health officials say the scale of illness shows that existing prevention and treatment measures need to be strengthened while new strategies are developed for different health zones.
As part of the response, authorities launched a mass administration campaign for antimalarial medicines in Ituri. The campaign aims to reduce malaria infections and deaths while strengthening prevention and treatment efforts at the community level.
The high number of cases is particularly concerning because malaria can become severe and life-threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly. The African region carries the largest global burden of malaria, with young children among those at greatest risk of severe disease and death. WHO estimated about 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024.
Health authorities are calling for continued investment in early diagnosis, effective treatment, mosquito-control measures, community awareness and other high-impact interventions. They also emphasize the need for cooperation among government agencies, healthcare workers, communities and international partners.
The latest figures highlight that malaria continues to be a major health challenge in the DRC and demonstrate the need for sustained prevention and stronger malaria-control programs to reduce infections and save lives.
