247 MILLION CASES OF MALARIA HAVE BEEN REPORTED WORLDWIDE.

According to a recent WHO estimate, there were 247 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2021, up from 245 million cases in 2020 and 232 million cases in 2019.

The “World Malaria Report 2022” report revealed that, despite COVID-19’s ongoing effects, malaria cases and fatalities held steady in 2021.

According to the latest data, global efforts to prevent, test for, and cure malaria were highly successful in 2021 in most nations.

The world malaria report for this year estimates that there were 619,000 malaria fatalities worldwide in 2021 as opposed to 625,000 in the pandemic’s first year. Before the epidemic hit in 2019, the number of fatalities

“Malaria-affected countries redoubled their efforts and were able to mitigate the worst effects of Covid-related disruptions to malaria services,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. “This was in response to a marked increase in malaria cases and deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We have numerous obstacles, but there are numerous causes for optimism. There is every reason to dream of a world without malaria in the future through bolstering the response, comprehending and reducing the dangers, fostering resilience, and advancing research, he continued.

ITN distributions in 2021 were high overall and at levels comparable to those of the years prior to the pandemic: 128 million of the 171 million ITNs that were expected to be distributed, or 75%, were actually distributed.

But just seven countries—Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, India, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone—distributed any ITNs, while Benin, Eritrea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Uganda, and Vanuatu distributed less than 60% of their ITNs.

The WHO said that most nations managed to keep up malaria testing and treatment throughout the outbreak.

“Despite logistical and supply chain difficulties during the pandemic, quick diagnostic test distribution to healthcare facilities in malaria-endemic countries reached a record high in 2020. 223 million RDTs were distributed by nations in 2021, matching pre-pandemic levels.

“Combination therapy based on artemisinin are the most successful treatment for P. falciparum malaria. In comparison to 239 million ACTs in 2019, malaria-endemic nations are anticipated to have distributed 242 million ACTs globally in 2021 WHO Said.