Day 2
International ReportsImportant2025-12-04
WHO Releases World Malaria Report 2025
In News
What Happened
In December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the World Malaria Report 2025, detailing global malaria trends. The report highlighted a global rise in malaria cases to 282 million in 2024, alongside a severe threat of artemisinin drug resistance in Africa. Conversely, the WHO South-East Asia Region, which includes India, was noted as being on track to achieve its 75% incidence reduction target by 2025.
Why It Matters
For India, this report validates the ongoing success of the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030). However, the rising global threat of antimalarial drug resistance and the spread of urban vectors like Anopheles stephensi serve as critical early warnings for India's public health surveillance systems.
Background
History & Context
Malaria elimination in India is governed by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, launched in 2016 to achieve zero indigenous cases by 2027 and complete elimination by 2030. Globally, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) have been the frontline treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Over recent years, partial artemisinin resistance, initially contained in the Greater Mekong Subregion, has begun spreading rapidly across Africa, threatening decades of progress.
What Changed
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Global Case Burden: BEFORE, global malaria cases hovered around 249 million (in 2022). NOW, the 2025 report indicates a concerning increase to 282 million cases worldwide in 2024.
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Drug Resistance Status: BEFORE, artemisinin resistance was largely isolated to Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong Subregion. NOW, it has emerged as a severe, widespread threat across the African continent.
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South-East Asia Trajectory: BEFORE, India and its neighbors faced stagnation in incidence reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. NOW, the region is officially on track to meet the WHO target of a 75% reduction in case incidence by 2025.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
This event directly connects to Class 12 Biology, Chapter 8 (Human Health and Disease), which explains the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite and its transmission via the female Anopheles mosquito. The emergence of artemisinin resistance demonstrates real-world evolutionary pressure and adaptation by the Plasmodium parasite.
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding malaria treatment and transmission?