As World Malaria Day approaches on 25 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant advancement in malaria control: the prequalification of the first antimalarial treatment specifically designed for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms. This development addresses a long-standing gap in care for the youngest and most vulnerable patients in malaria-endemic regions.
The newly prequalified medicine is a child-friendly formulation of artemether-lumefantrine, an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) recommended by WHO for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Until now, infants in this weight band have often received treatments formulated for older children, increasing the risk of dosing errors and potential toxicity. WHO prequalification confirms that the product meets international standards for quality, safety and efficacy, enabling procurement by United Nations agencies and supporting broader access in public health systems.
According to WHO, approximately 30 million babies are born each year in areas of Africa where malaria transmission occurs, many of whom are at risk of infection in their first months of life. The organization states that this intervention could help close a critical treatment gap for this population, which has historically been underserved due to a lack of age-appropriate formulations.
In a statement ahead of World Malaria Day, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the broader context of progress in malaria control: “For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communities. But today, the story is changing. Recent vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets and effective medicines, including those adapted for the youngest, are helping to turn the tide. Ending malaria in our lifetime is no longer a dream – it is a real possibility, but only with sustained political and financial commitment. Now we can. Now we must.”
On 14 April 2026, WHO also announced the prequalification of three new rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) designed to overcome challenges posed by Plasmodium falciparum parasites that have undergone histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) gene deletions. These parasites produce false-negative results in standard HRP2-based RDTs, which have been the most widely used diagnostic tools in malaria-endemic countries.
Based on surveys across 46 countries, WHO reports that in some areas of the Horn of Africa, up to 80% of malaria cases may be missed by HRP2-dependent tests due to pfhrp2 deletions, leading to delayed treatment and increased risk of severe illness or death. The newly prequalified tests target an alternative biomarker, plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), which the parasite cannot easily lose, providing a reliable diagnostic option where HRP2-based tests fail.
WHO now advises countries to consider switching to non-HRP2-based RDTs when surveillance indicates that more than 5% of Pfhrp2-deleted parasites are circulating, ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This guidance aims to protect hard-won gains in malaria control, particularly in communities most affected by diagnostic failure.
These announcements coincide with the launch of the 2026 World Malaria Day campaign, themed “Driven to Finish Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.” The campaign underscores the urgency of sustaining investment in malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment, especially as recent data show a reversal in global progress.
According to the World Malaria Report 2025, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths globally in 2024, representing an increase from 2023. While 47 countries have been certified malaria-free by WHO and 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases in 2024, the agency warns that progress is stalling due to multiple interconnected challenges, including antimalarial drug resistance, insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, diagnostic limitations like pfhrp2 deletions, and declining international funding for malaria programs.
Despite these setbacks, WHO highlights that global efforts since 2000 have prevented an estimated 2.3 billion malaria infections and saved approximately 14 million lives. The expansion of malaria vaccination programs in 25 countries, the widespread distribution of next-generation insecticide-treated nets (which accounted for 84% of all new nets delivered in recent years), and innovations in diagnostics and treatment continue to demonstrate the potential for progress when coordinated action is sustained.
WHO continues to lead global malaria efforts through its Global Malaria Programme, working with endemic countries, technical partners and funding agencies to strengthen surveillance, improve access to quality-assured tools and support research into next-generation interventions. As part of its broader mandate, the organization also promotes the integration of malaria control into primary health care systems to ensure equitable and sustained service delivery.
Looking ahead, the next major milestone in the malaria calendar is World Malaria Day 2027, which will be observed on 25 April. In the interim, WHO encourages stakeholders to monitor updates through its official channels, including the World Malaria Report series and the Global Malaria Programme’s website, for the latest data, policy guidance and programmatic developments.
For readers interested in learning more about WHO’s malaria initiatives, including treatment guidelines, diagnostic recommendations and vaccine rollouts, the organization’s website provides comprehensive resources and real-time updates on global progress toward malaria elimination.