WHO Warns of Malaria Epidemic in Flood-Ravaged Pakistan

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Peshawar: The World Health Organization’s annual malaria report highlights the alarming impact of the 2022 catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, revealing a five-fold increase in malaria cases in the country. This surge in cases has underscored the interconnectedness between climate change and the prevalence of malaria.

The report emphasizes the correlation between changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall and their influence on the behavior and survival of the Anopheles mosquito, responsible for transmitting malaria. Additionally, it underscores that extreme weather events like heatwaves and flooding can directly affect disease transmission and burden.

The devastating flooding in Pakistan exemplifies this connection, leading to a drastic escalation in malaria cases. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for robust strategies to address the convergence of climate change and the rise in malaria incidence to safeguard public health.

In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases worldwide, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 16 million cases. This rise indicates a concerning increase despite efforts to expand access to preventive measures:WHO report

Despite strides in expanding access to insecticide-treated nets and medicines to help prevent malaria in young children and pregnant women, more people were getting sick with malaria, according to a new report published by the WHO.

In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases globally, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 233 million in 2019 by 16 million cases. Globally, there were an additional five million malaria cases in 2022 over the previous year, and five countries bore the brunt of these increases.

Pakistan saw the largest increase, with about 2.6 million cases in 2022 compared to 500 000 in 2021. Significant increases were also observed in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda.

In addition to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the global malaria response has faced a growing number of threats, such as drug and insecticide resistance, humanitarian crises, resource constraints, climate change impacts, and delays in programme implementation, particularly in countries with a high burden of the disease.

Five countries experienced the brunt of this surge: Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda: WHO

“The changing climate poses a substantial risk to progress against malaria, particularly in vulnerable regions. Sustainable and resilient malaria responses are needed now more than ever, coupled with urgent actions to slow the pace of global warming and reduce its effects,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Climate variability is expected to have indirect effects on malaria trends through, for example, reduced access to essential malaria services and disruptions to the supply chain of insecticide-treated nets, medicines, and vaccines. Population displacement due to climate-induced factors may also lead to increased malaria as individuals without immunity migrate to endemic areas, he added.

“It is crucial to recognise the multitude of threats that impede our response efforts. Climate variability poses a substantial risk, but we must also contend with challenges such as limited healthcare access, ongoing conflicts and emergencies, the lingering effects of COVID-19 on service delivery, inadequate funding, and uneven implementation of our core malaria interventions,” the WHO report added.

Pakistan witnessed a significant surge, reporting approximately 2.6 million malaria cases in 2022 compared to 500,000 in 2021.

“To forge ahead towards a malaria-free future, we need a concerted effort to tackle these diverse threats, which foster innovation, resource mobilisation, and collaborative strategies.”

The report stressed a substantial pivot in the fight against malaria with increased resourcing, strengthened political commitment, data-driven strategies, and innovative tools. Innovation should focus on the development of more efficient, effective, and affordable products.

The added threat of climate change calls for sustainable and resilient malaria responses that align with efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. Whole-of-society engagement is crucial to building integrated approaches, it added.

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