Global strategic direction

Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Of the 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, 2 pose the greatest threat to public health:  P. falciparum and P. vivax.  Without prompt treatment, P. falciparum malaria can lead to severe illness and death.

In 2015, WHO published the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030 (GTS), setting a path towards 90% reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality by 2030, compared with a 2015 baseline, and eliminating malaria from at least 35 countries and preventing re-establishment in malaria-free countries. However, after an unprecedented period of success in global malaria control, the trajectory of progress has plateaued, and the world has not achieved the 2020 GTS targets for morbidity and mortality reductions. The 2020 World Malaria Report  documented 229 million cases of malaria worldwide, and 409,000 malaria deaths. The WHO Africa Region carried 94% of these deaths, with children aged under 5 years accounting for 67% of malaria deaths.