Severe Malaria Observatory | Knowledge sharing for severe malaria

African health ministers commit to end malaria deaths

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Newly launched SEMA ReACT project - Severe malaria in remote areas: closing the evidence gap

Photo credit: Damien Schumann / MMV

Photo: WHO/EMRO

Egypt is certified malaria-free by WHO

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The Severe Malaria Observatory: Experience. Evidence. Guidance.

Photo: Damien Schumann/MMV

How Reagan beat severe malaria

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Photo: Pearl Gan/MMV

The global burden of malaria

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Featured Resources

Injectable Artesunate Toolkit - Videos

New video - Artesunate injection for severe malaria: New formulation based on arginine (Argesun® 60 mg)

Risk factors for death among children with severe malaria, Ivukula sub-county, Namutumba district, Eastern Uganda, September 2021– February 2022

Malaria Journal

Perceived barriers and opportunities for the introduction of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) in five sub-Saharan countries: a qualitative survey amongst malaria key stakeholders

Malaria Journal

Peer-reviewed article

Improving adherence to severe malaria treatment guidelines in children at a Ugandan regional hospital: assessment of a quality improvement initiative

Malaria Journal

Peer-reviewed article

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Latest News

WHO prequalifies diagnostic test to support safer administration of P. vivax malaria treatments

On 18 December 2024, the (WHO) prequalified the first diagnostic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency which can help to safely deliver WHO-recommended treatments to prevent relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection. The prequalification of this test was followed by the prequalification of two new tafenoquine products for anti-relapse treatment of P. vivax malaria in December.

Reinvigorated global efforts needed to curb rising malaria threat

New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022, and nearly the same number of deaths. Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.

Photo: WHO

Egypt is certified malaria-free by WHO

First Nigerian manufacturer obtains WHO prequalification for key malaria prevention drug

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Upcoming Events

9th International Conference on Plasmodium vivax Research (ICPvR) 2025

The 9th International Conference on Plasmodium vivax Research (ICPvR 2025). This esteemed gathering will convene leading experts globally to discuss the latest advancements in P. vivax research, address critical knowledge gaps, and promote collaborative efforts towards its elimination.

Puducherry, India

African Union summit 2025

The summit will bring together member states, philanthropic funders, representatives from various Ministries in Africa and civil society to recommit for the Africa we want ahead of Agenda 2063. More details will be shared in due course; stay tuned!!

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Publications

Treatment outcomes and associated factors in severe malaria patients at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A retrospective study (2020-2023)

Treatment outcomes associated factors on severe malaria among patients in North West of Ethiopia.

Peer-reviewed article

Prevalence and factors associated with placental malaria in Lira District, Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Malaria has a stable perennial transmission across Uganda. Placental malaria is associated with adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of placental malaria and to determine its associated factors among parturient women in Lira District, Uganda.

Malaria Journal

Peer-reviewed article

Cost of treating severe malaria in children in Africa: a systematic literature review

Malaria is a major cause of ill health and death in children in Africa. The disease also imposes a severe social and economic burden on households and health systems and is strongly associated with poverty. This study summarizes the most up-to-date cost of treating severe malaria in children in Africa.

Malaria Journal

Peer-reviewed article

Quality of care and post-discharge morbidity among children diagnosed with severe malaria in rural Uganda: A prospective cohort study

Kniss JM, Kibaba G, Baguma E, Bhattarai Chhetri S, Hendren C, Ntaro M, et al.

PLOS Global Public Health

Peer-reviewed article