India's Malaria Cases Drop 80%, Nearing 2030 Goal

New Delhi – India has made significant strides in its fight against malaria, reducing cases and deaths by approximately 80% between 2015 and 2023, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This achievement brings the nation closer to its goal of achieving malaria-free status by 2030.

In 2023, India recorded 227,564 malaria cases and 83 deaths, a significant decrease from 1,169,261 cases and 384 deaths in 2015. In 2023, zero malaria cases were reported in 122 districts across various states.The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized India's progress in its latest World Malaria Report 2024, celebrating the country's exit from the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024.

This success is attributed to India's robust public health interventions, including the implementation of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategies. IVM focuses on controlling mosquito populations through Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs). Targeted management of the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito has bolstered urban malaria control.

The Ministry highlighted that intensified surveillance efforts have also contributed to the decline in malaria cases. The Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER) has increased from 9.58% in 2015 to 11.62% in 2023, enabling early detection, timely intervention, and more effective treatment.

India's success story is marked by a significant reduction in malaria cases and deaths across various states. In 2015, ten states and union territories were categorized as high burden (Category 3). By 2023, only two states (Mizoram and Tripura) remain in this category, while four states – Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya – have moved to Category 2. Several other states and territories have also significantly reduced their caseload, moving to lower burden categories.