5 Countries with Highest Malaria Death Rates

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 countries with highest malaria death rates. If you wish to learn about more, head straight to the 25 Countries with Highest Malaria Death Rates.

5. Niger  

Total Deaths per 100,000 People: 80.7

Niger stands fifth among the countries with a high malaria burden, recording over 22,000 deaths in 2020, a subtantial increase from the previous year. Preventive measures include insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, while early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent severe illness.

4. Sierra Leone  

Total Deaths per 100,000 People: 81.1

Sierra Leone stands nineteenth among the countries with highest malaria death rates, reporting over 2.5 million cases and more than 7000 deaths annually. Malaria contributes to 40% of hospital admissions and 37% of deaths in children under five. President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund focus on bed net distribution campaigns and surveillance. International support from organizations like the CDC and PEPFAR aids the country’s healthcare system beyond malaria, addressing issues like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

3. Burkina Faso 

Total Deaths per 100,000 People: 81.2

Burkina Faso ranks third among countries with highest malaria death rates, recording over 19,000 deaths in 2020. Treatment strategies include artemisinin-based therapies, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children aged 3–59 months. Initiatives like Target Malaria explore innovative approaches such as genetically modified mosquitoes to curb malaria transmission.

2. Nigeria  

Total Deaths per 100,000 People: 82.3

Nigeria reported about 27% of global malaria cases, making Nigeria stand first among the countries with highest malaria death rates. Despite progress, with a 55% reduction in malaria deaths since 2000, the disease remains a major public health concern. Over half of Nigeria’s population experiences malaria annually, leading to 30% of outpatient visits, 20% of hospital admissions, and 10% of hospital deaths. Nigeria focuses on preventive measures like distributing insecticide-treated nets and administering the R21 malaria vaccine to children aged five months to 36 months. Environmental management is also crucial in curbing new cases.

1. Central African Republic 

Total Deaths per 100,000 People: 86.8

In the Central African Republic, malaria is a major health concern, with over 380,000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported annually and 3,279 deaths recorded, constituting 6.19% of total deaths. Children under 5 years old represent about 78% of malaria-related deaths in the region, while pregnant women, travelers, and individuals with HIV or AIDS are also at higher risk. International aid from organizations like UNICEF and WHO supports malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts in the country.

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