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Malaria Drug Resistance Spreads: According to WHO’s World Malaria Report, about 28 crore people worldwide were infected with malaria in the year 2024. Of these, 6.10 lakh people died due to this infection. WHO report said that drug resistance is the main reason for millions of deaths. Apart from this, PFHRP2 gene deletion, reduction in the effectiveness of insecticides and spread of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes are challenges in malaria control.
Malaria Deaths Rises Worldwide: Malaria spread by mosquitoes is killing millions of people every year around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the World Malaria Report 2024 on Thursday. It has been told that last year, about 28.20 crore people were infected with malaria globally and 6.10 lakh people lost their lives. In this, drug resistance has been described as a major threat. In India too, every year a large number of people fall prey to malaria and many of them die. However, it is a matter of relief that with the vaccine recommended by WHO, about 17 crore people were successful in avoiding malaria in 2024 and 10 lakh people’s lives were saved. Many shocking things have come to light in this report.
These countries have the highest number of deaths due to malaria
WHO estimates that out of the 6.10 lakh people who died due to malaria in the year 2024, about 95 percent of the deaths occurred in African countries. Most of those who died included children below 5 years of age. Whereas, out of all the malaria patients found in South East Asian countries, 73.3 percent were in India. This report of WHO revealed that not much success has been achieved in reducing deaths due to malaria. Anti-malarial drug resistance has been confirmed or suspected in about 8 countries in Africa. Apart from this, there have also been possible indications of reduction in the effectiveness of medicines given in combination with Artemisinin.
These are also big challenges in controlling malaria
According to the new report, the biggest challenge in the efforts to end malaria is drug resistance. After this, the second big challenge is the presence of malaria parasite with PFHRP2 gene deletion, which is reducing the credibility of clinical trials. Whereas in 48 countries, the effectiveness of insecticidal mosquito nets is decreasing due to pyrethroid resistance. Not only this, Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes are resistant to many commonly used insecticides. These mosquitoes have now entered 9 African countries, causing a major setback to malaria control efforts in urban areas.
Till now 47 countries declared malaria free
Efforts to eliminate malaria around the world have also been successful to a great extent. Till now, a total of 47 countries and one region have been declared malaria free by WHO. Cabo Verde and Egypt were officially certified malaria-free in 2024. Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste will join this list in 2025. The report states that WHO had approved the world’s first malaria vaccine in 2021 and 24 countries have made this vaccine a part of their regular vaccination program.
What did WHO Chief say on the new report?
WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that new methods of malaria prevention are giving us new hope, but we are still facing big challenges. The increasing number of malaria cases and deaths, the increasing risk of drug side effects and funding cuts are impacting malaria control. Extreme weather events, changes in temperature and rainfall are also contributing to the increasing cases of malaria. However, there is no challenge which cannot be overcome. The dream of a malaria-free world can be achieved with the leadership and targeted investment of countries struggling with malaria.
