Washington D.C. 6 November 2024 (PAHO/WHO) – On Malaria Day in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries, local leaders and partners in the fight against malaria to join forces to expand access to diagnosis and treatment to accelerate elimination.
The slogan for Malaria Day in the Americas 2024: "Expanding access to malaria diagnosis and treatment without barriers" is a call to develop actions so that malaria treatment is within reach of communities, without either geographic or financial barriers.
In 2023, countries in the Americas reported a total of 505,000 cases of malaria, a 5% increase compared to 2022. As a result, and despite best efforts, the Region remains off track when it comes to reaching the target of 120,000 cases by 2025.
Malaria is an acute febrile disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms, including fever, headache and chills, which may be mild. Left untreated, malaria can progress to severe illness and even death.
Malaria cases in the Americas are primarily driven by high-burden countries in South America (Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela), where indigenous communities and populations engaged in gold mining are the most affected. Guyana also reported a significant increase in cases (38%) between 2022 and 2023.
Over the past two years, the migration phenomenon has also led to an increase in imported malaria cases in some countries of Mesoamerica, including among communities in the Darien isthmus, through which a large number of migrants pass daily.
While the increase in transmission is concerning, PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa underscored that with accelerated efforts, “this disease can be eliminated in our Region.”
Some countries, including Suriname, which has not recorded autochthonous transmission for three consecutive years, continue to make progress towards becoming malaria free. Ecuador and Honduras also continue to report a decline in cases, while Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and French Guiana are also on track to achieve elimination. This is primarily due to improvements in malaria surveillance, as well as ensuring that diagnosis and treatment services are available within the high-burden communities that need them the most.
However, despite ongoing calls for timely diagnosis and treatment, gaps in access to prompt treatment persist in many endemic countries in the Region.
To reduce malaria transmission, PAHO urges countries to ensure the availability of diagnostic services and treatment at community level, establishing alliances with affected communities. Governments should also address regulatory barriers and logistical challenges that prevent the widespread roll-out of rapid diagnostic testing.
“Health services in endemic areas and affected communities can be part of the solution,” Dr. Barbosa added. “Together, we can eliminate malaria from the Americas.”
