India's Malaria Burden Remains High in South Asia
Despite significant progress in reducing malaria cases, India continues to bear a substantial burden of the disease in the WHO South-East Asia Region. According to the World Malaria Report 2025, India accounted for 73.3% of all estimated malaria cases and nearly 89% of malaria deaths in the region in 2024.
Regional Progress and India's Role
The South-East Asia Region has seen one of the world's steepest declines in malaria, logging 4.79 lakh cases in 2024 โ a 65.7% fall since 2015. Reported deaths were only 99. However, WHO estimates suggest a larger burden of 2.7 million cases and 3,900 deaths, with India being the primary driver of these infections and fatalities.
India's Progress Towards Elimination
Despite the high burden, India is on track to meet the 2025 Global Technical Strategy goal of a 75% drop in incidence, having already achieved a 70% reduction by 2024. Most districts are reporting sustained declines, although localized outbreaks in forest belts and cross-border spillover from Nepal remain significant challenges.
Key Data and Challenges
- Children under 5 accounted for 8.7% of cases and 18% of deaths.
- P.vivax, notoriously difficult to eliminate, caused nearly two-thirds of infections.
Factors Contributing to Progress
The report credits the gains to aggressive interventions, including:
- Large insecticide-treated net drives in India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- A 143% growth in rapid testing since 2015.
- 100% treatment coverage.
Drug Resistance and Treatment
Low-level pfhrp2/3 gene deletions were detected in India, but treatment failure for key ACTs remained below 5%, indicating continued drug efficacy.
India's Shift to High Impact
A key milestone was Indiaโs exit from the High Burden to High Impact group in 2024. This marks its shift from a global high-burden nation to one nearing elimination in several states โ a transformation few countries have achieved at this scale. Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste are already malaria-free.
Threats to Continued Progress
WHO warns that drug resistance, climate-related outbreaks, and declining international funding threaten global progress.
Challenges in Reaching Vulnerable Populations
Dr. Sunil Rana of Asian Hospital noted that malaria persists in India because timely healthcare fails to reach tribal and forest communities. He stated, "Longer mosquito-breeding seasons, delayed care-seeking, weak surveillance, and unchecked migration through border zones keep outbreaks alive."
