Geneva — The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the number of malaria cases worldwide reached 282 million in 2024, representing an increase of 9 million cases compared to 2023. 

The organization warned that this surge reflects a growing threat to global health security, particularly in regions already burdened by fragile health systems.

According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report, the rise in infections was driven by widespread outbreaks in Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Yemen, where conflict, climate pressures, and limited access to healthcare have exacerbated transmission. 

The report also noted that malaria continues to cause significant mortality, with hundreds of thousands of deaths recorded annually, most of them among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa.

WHO emphasized that the increase in cases underscores the urgent need for sustained investment in prevention and treatment tools, including insecticide-treated nets, rapid diagnostic testing, and effective antimalarial medicines. 

The organization further highlighted the importance of international cooperation and funding to prevent the reversal of progress achieved in combating malaria over the past two decades.

In its statement, WHO cautioned that without renewed commitment, malaria could once again become one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide.