Malaria in Southern Africa: A New Offensive
Facing recurring malaria outbreaks, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched crucial operational research in Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. This initiative, backed by a US$150,000 grant from the World Bank, aims to fortify member states' strategies to combat and eliminate malaria. The research, running from November 14 to December 12, 2025, seeks to provide evidence-based solutions to this persistent health challenge.
Dr. Lul Pout Riek, Director of the Southern Africa Regional Co-ordinating Centre (SA-RCC), highlights the core objective: generating data to enhance malaria control and elimination efforts in the region. The goal is to tailor interventions to local needs, improve outbreak management, and ultimately reduce the disease's impact.
What's Being Studied?
The research will delve into the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of various larvicide types and integrated vector control strategies. Researchers from the Africa CDC, national health ministries, public health institutes, and academia will employ advanced analytical methods. This includes vector bionomics, mathematical modeling, and simulation to better understand malaria dynamics. They'll also identify bottlenecks in healthcare delivery during epidemics, specifically focusing on access to care, to strengthen prevention and outbreak control in the three focus countries.
Focus on Three Nations
- Lesotho: Facing localized outbreaks, Lesotho aims to understand the entomological profile of malaria to inform national elimination strategies. Mr. Khotso Mahomo, International Health Regulations Manager at Lesotho’s Ministry of Health, emphasizes the importance of this research.
- Namibia: Between December 2024 and January 2025, Namibia reported 5,898 confirmed malaria cases, including 840 hospitalizations and 28 deaths. Of these, 3,493 were locally transmitted, and 2,496 were imported. Dr. Iyaloo Mwaningange, Deputy Director of the Epidemiology Division, Ministry of Health and Social Services, highlights the research's role in identifying transmission drivers and social determinants of severe disease.
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe saw a staggering 180% surge in cumulative malaria cases between Weeks 1 and 17 of 2025, rising from 21,309 cases in 2024 to 59,647 in 2025. Malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025, with Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West accounting for over 80% of cases. Professor Nicholas Midzi, Director of the National Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe, stresses the research's potential to optimize vector control and inform cross-border initiatives.
Key Research Areas
The study will also evaluate integrated indoor residual spraying and antimalarial mass treatment strategies, assess supply-chain effectiveness, and examine the roles of community health workers. The expected outcome is evidence-based recommendations to strengthen malaria surveillance, outbreak response, and case management, enhancing regional capacity for malaria elimination.
The Bigger Picture
Africa CDC's commitment to supporting member states is clear. This operational research is a critical step towards generating evidence-based solutions to end malaria in Southern Africa. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that the focus should be on prevention rather than treatment, or that the funding is insufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. What do you think?
NOTE TO EDITORS
For media inquiries, contact Margaret Edwin, Director of Communication and Public Information, Africa CDC: Edwinm@africacdc.org
About Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control. Learn more at Africa CDC and connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
