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Malaria Deaths Rise: WHO Warns of Crisis
4 Dec
Summary
- Malaria caused around 610,000 deaths in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year.
- Rising drug and insecticide resistance, climate change, and funding cuts threaten malaria control.
- Global funding for malaria control reached $3.9 billion, far below the needed $9 billion target.
In 2024, malaria resulted in approximately 610,000 deaths, primarily affecting young children in sub-Saharan Africa. This figure represents a slight increase from the previous year, with an estimated 282 million cases reported globally, up from 273 million. The World Health Organization highlights that after decades of progress, the global effort to combat malaria has faltered in the last ten years.
Several factors are contributing to this alarming trend. Rising resistance to malaria drugs and insecticides, coupled with the intensifying effects of climate change and ongoing conflicts, are severely challenging containment efforts. Furthermore, consistent underfunding remains a critical issue. The total investment in malaria control for 2024 was $3.9 billion, significantly less than the target of over $9 billion.
This substantial funding gap, exacerbated by recent cuts to international aid, poses a serious risk of a widespread resurgence of the disease. While new treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines offer hope and have already saved millions, their effectiveness hinges on accessibility to those most at risk, a responsibility shared by affected governments and international donors.
