WHO prequalifies first-ever malaria treatment for newborns and infants

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a significant step forward in the fight against malaria with the prequalification of the first treatment developed specifically for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms. 

• The newly prequalified treatment, artemether-lumefantrine, is the first anti-malarial formulation designed specifically for the youngest malaria patients. 

• Until now, infants with malaria have been treated with formulations intended for older children, which increase the risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity.

• The prequalification designation indicates that the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and will help to expand access to quality-assured treatment for one of the most underserved patient groups.

• WHO prequalification will enable public sector procurement, contributing to closing a long-standing treatment gap for some 30 million babies born each year in malaria-endemic areas of Africa.

New prequalified tests

• WHO also prequalified three new rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) designed to address emerging diagnostic challenges for malaria. 

• The most common malaria RDTs for P.falciparum parasite work by detecting the protein, known as HRP2. 

• But based on reported studies and surveys in 46 countries, some strains of the malaria parasite have lost the gene that makes this protein, so they become “invisible” to HRP2-based RDTs, leading to false-negative results. 

In countries in the Horn of Africa, up to 80 per cent of cases were missed, leading to delayed treatment, severe illness, and even death.

• The new tests address this issue by targeting a different parasite protein (pf-LDH) that the malaria parasite cannot easily shed. 

• They provide a reliable, quality-assured alternative where HRP2-based tests are failing. 

• WHO now recommends that countries switch to these alternative RDTs when more than 5 per cent of cases are missed due to pf-hrp2 deletions. 

• This ensures accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and protects hard-won malaria control gains, especially for the most vulnerable communities.

Some facts on malaria:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable, and does not spread from person to person.

• It is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors”. 

• There are five parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and two of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. 

• Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. 

• The first symptoms — fever, headache, and chills — may be mild and difficult to recognise as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death.

• Symptoms usually start within 10-15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.

• Symptoms may be mild for some people, especially for those who have had a malaria infection before. Because some malaria symptoms are not specific, getting tested early is important. 

• Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death. 

• Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. 

Severe symptoms include:

i) Extreme tiredness and fatigue. 

ii) Impaired consciousness

iii) Multiple convulsions

iv) Difficulty breathing

v) Dark or bloody urine

vi) Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) 

vii) Abnormal bleeding.

• Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and by taking medicines.

Disease burden

• According to the World malaria report 2025, there were an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024 — an increase from 2023. 

• The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2024 the region was home to about 95 per cent of all malaria cases and deaths. Children under five years of age accounted for about 76 per cent of all malaria deaths in the Region.

• While 47 countries have been certified malaria-free and 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases in 2024, progress at the global level is stalling. 

• Gains are at risk due to multiple challenges, including drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failure, and severe reductions in international development assistance.

• Despite these challenges, substantial progress has been made, with an estimated 2.3 billion malaria infections prevented and 14 million lives saved worldwide since 2000.

• As many as 25 countries are now rolling out malaria vaccines, protecting millions of children, and next-generation mosquito nets make up 84 per cent of all new nets distributed. 

• These advances demonstrate what is possible when all partners work together to innovate and deliver on the promises towards ending malaria for all.

World Malaria Day

• World Malaria Day is observed annually on April 25. 

• It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. 

• It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.

• This year’s theme is “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must”.

India’s progress in malaria elimination

• India's journey toward a malaria-free future is a story of remarkable transformation and progress. At the time of independence in 1947, malaria was one of the most pressing public health challenges, with an estimated 7.5 crore cases annually and 800,000 deaths.

• India has demonstrated remarkable progress through sustained political will, grassroots participation, and targeted interventions. 

• A defining milestone came in 2024, when India exited the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group, signalling a paradigm shift in the country’s malaria trajectory.  

• Backed by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030) and the National Strategic Plan (2023-2027), India has aligned its strategy with global standards while tailoring solutions to local needs.

• With an 80.5 per cent reduction in malaria cases and 78.3 per cent reduction in deaths between 2015 and 2023, and over 122 districts reporting zero cases last year, the country is advancing with renewed momentum towards achieving zero indigenous cases by 2027 and setting a global benchmark in public health elimination efforts. India reaffirms its steadfast commitment to eliminating malaria by 2030.