On 25 April 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Africa, together with the national Department of Health, marked World Malaria Day with a renewed call to end malaria as a public health threat. The theme for 2026, 'Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,' emphasizes the urgency of accelerating progress toward elimination.
According to the WHO, South Africa has made significant strides in reducing malaria cases and deaths over the past decade, but the disease remains a major concern in three provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. In 2025, the country reported approximately 10,000 confirmed cases, a decrease from previous years, though challenges persist due to cross-border transmission from neighboring countries with higher malaria burdens.
Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO Representative in South Africa, stated: 'We have the tools and the knowledge to end malaria. Now we must ensure they reach every community at risk.' The WHO supports South Africa's malaria elimination strategy, which includes vector control, rapid diagnostic testing, and artemisinin-based combination therapies.
Globally, the WHO estimates that malaria caused 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths in 2022, with Africa accounting for 95% of cases. The 2026 World Malaria Day campaign highlights the need for sustained funding and political commitment to achieve the target of a 90% reduction in malaria incidence and mortality by 2030.
