Malaria Cases in India Drop

In India, the cases of malaria have dropped from about 20 million cases in 2000 to about 5.6 million in 2019, said a World Health Organization report.

India has contributed to the largest absolute reductions in malaria, as compared to 2018. Cases in India have decreased by 1.2 million, according to WHO's latest World Malaria Report. Despite the progress, India still contributes significantly to the global malaria burden.

‘India is among the 11 highest malaria burden countries in the world that collectively contributes about 70% of the world's malaria cases and deaths.’

In 2019, the global tally of malaria cases was 229 million. The disease claimed some 409,000 lives in 2019 compared to 411,000 in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the importance of ending malaria and enabling countries to turn their attention to emerging threats.

"It is time for leaders across Africa - and the world - to rise once again to the challenge of malaria, just as they did when they laid the foundation for the progress made since the beginning of this century," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement.

"Through joint action, and a commitment to leaving no one behind, we can achieve our shared vision of a world free of malaria."

The report revealed that India continues to be the largest contributor of malaria cases in the WHO's South-East Asia Region - reporting about 88% of malaria cases and carrying 86% of malaria deaths in the region -- in 2019.

"India has come a long way in bolstering its fight against malaria and it shows that with its year-on-year reduction in malaria cases and deaths," said Sanjeev Gaikwad, Country Director, Malaria No More India.

Source: Medindia