Ahead of World Malaria Day, observed every year on 25 April, WHO congratulates the increasing number of countries that are approaching, and attaining, zero cases of malaria. The agency launched a new initiative that aims to stop the disease transmission in 25 more countries by the year 2025.

Among the 87 countries with malaria, 46 reported less than 10 000 cases of the disease in 2019 compared to 26 countries in 2000. By the end of last year, 24 countries had reported that they had interrupted malaria transmission for a period of 3 years or more. Eleven of these were certified malaria-free by WHO.

The emergence of COVID-19 posed a serious challenge to malaria responses across the globe. The WHO has urged countries to continue maintaining essential health services, including for malaria, and make sure that communities and health workers are protected from COVID-19 transmission… (WHO, April 21, 2021)