India Malaria Reduction: WHO Report Highlights 69% Drop in Malaria Cases and Deaths with Combination Drugs and Insecticidal Mosquito Nets

India Malaria Reduction: Each year, the report plays a crucial role in assessing global advancements and identifying gaps in the battle against malaria. It offers an overview of the actions taken to control and eliminate the disease across 83 countries.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Malaria Report released on Wednesday, India has made significant strides in reducing malaria incidence and mortality, officially exiting the High Burden High Impact (HBHI) group of endemic countries in 2024.

India Malaria Reduction: Major Achievements as Cases and Deaths Plunge by 69% and 68% Respectively

India has made remarkable progress in combating malaria, reducing its caseload by 69%, from 6.4 million (64 lakh) in 2017 to 2 million (20 lakh) in 2023. Similarly, malaria-related deaths saw a significant drop, decreasing by 68% from 11,100 in 2017 to 3,500 in 2023. In the broader WHO South-East Asia Region, eight countries were endemic for malaria in 2023, with a total of 4 million cases, contributing 1.5% to the global malaria burden. India alone accounted for half of these cases, with Indonesia following at just under one-third. The region’s malaria-related deaths also dropped dramatically by 82.9%, from 35,000 in 2000 to 6,000 in 2023.

India’s success in reducing malaria cases and mortality is driven by its multi-sectoral approach and strong political will,” said Dr. Daniel Madandi, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “Although progress is slower than desired and some challenges remain, the overall trends are promising. Alongside India, countries like Liberia and Rwanda have also reported significant declines in malaria cases,” noted Dr. Arnaud Le Menach, lead author of the WHO World Malaria Report and head of the Strategic Information for Response unit within the WHO Global Malaria Programme.

Dr. Rajni Kant Srivastava from ICMR credits India’s malaria reduction to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN). ACT targets malaria parasites with artemisinin and a partner drug, while LLINs block and kill mosquitoes with their insecticide coating. The CDC notes that widespread LLIN use reduces mosquito populations. Effective monitoring and targeted interventions in challenging regions like Jharkhand and Odisha have further improved case management, while newer-generation insecticide-treated nets offer better protection than older versions.

Malaria Control Advances: 44 Countries Achieve Malaria-Free Status, 2.2 Billion Cases Prevented

Over the past two decades, there has been a concerted global effort to combat malaria, with various nations achieving milestones that once seemed out of reach. A critical element of these successes is the ongoing implementation of effective prevention strategies, such as the widespread distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and the use of Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). These interventions have drastically reduced both the incidence and mortality rates of malaria in many countries, especially in high-burden regions.

The latest WHO report reveals significant global progress in malaria control, with 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths prevented between 2000 and 2023. More countries are also adopting newly approved malaria vaccines. So far, 44 countries and one territory, including Egypt, have officially been declared malaria-free. To achieve this status, nations must eliminate the four primary malaria parasites and demonstrate no local transmission for at least three consecutive years. However, Africa remains the most severely impacted region.

In particular, countries like India, which have seen significant reductions in malaria cases and deaths, serve as models for others. The role of national health systems in ensuring access to diagnostics and treatment, along with continuous monitoring and surveillance, cannot be overstated. It is through these measures that nations have been able to interrupt malaria transmission effectively.

Additionally, the introduction of the first malaria vaccines adds a new layer of hope to the global fight. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which has shown promise in clinical trials, is being rolled out in several African countries as part of pilot programs. Early results from these trials are encouraging, with the vaccine demonstrating the potential to further reduce malaria transmission in regions with high malaria burdens. These vaccines, combined with other preventive measures, offer a multifaceted approach to tackling malaria.

The report also acknowledges the progress made in eliminating malaria in countries and territories that have successfully disrupted the transmission cycle. The certification of Egypt as malaria-free marks a significant milestone, and it serves as an inspiration for other nations striving for similar success. Malaria elimination requires that countries not only eliminate the parasites but also maintain rigorous surveillance to ensure that transmission does not resume. This means implementing effective vector control measures, ensuring access to timely treatment, and maintaining public awareness about malaria prevention.

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