WHO Warning: Over 100,000 Malaria Deaths Expected in 2025

20th March 2025

5 minutes read

WHO Warning: Over 100,000 Malaria Deaths Expected in 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a grave warning regarding the potential consequences of the United States’ decision to halt its funding for global malaria control programs. According to the organization, this withdrawal of financial support could result in as many as 107,000 deaths worldwide by the year 2025, significantly undermining efforts to combat one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases.

This critical alert was delivered by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a high-level press conference held in Geneva on Monday, March 17, 2025. During his address, he highlighted the devastating impact that this funding cut could have, particularly on vulnerable populations in malaria-endemic regions. Ghebreyesus underscored the urgent need for sustained financial support to continue life-saving interventions, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, access to anti-malarial medications, and advancements in vaccine deployment.

WHO’s Malaria Warnings: A Setback for Two Decades of Progress

For over twenty years, the United States has played a pivotal role in the fight against malaria, serving as the largest bilateral donor to global control and eradication efforts. Through sustained investment, the U.S. has contributed to the prevention of approximately 2.2 billion infections and the saving of an estimated 12.7 million lives worldwide. These contributions have been instrumental in reducing malaria mortality rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, where the disease remains a significant public health challenge.

However, Ghebreyesus cautioned that the abrupt cessation of U.S. funding could trigger a resurgence of malaria in many high-risk regions. He estimated that without continued financial support, an additional 15 million new malaria cases could emerge within the year, with the global death toll surging to 107,000. Such a development would mark a devastating reversal of the progress made over the last fifteen years, jeopardizing the health and well-being of millions of people, particularly children under five and pregnant women, who are most susceptible to severe malaria complications.

Africa: The Hardest-Hit Continent

Despite notable strides in malaria prevention and treatment, Africa continues to bear the brunt of the disease, accounting for the vast majority of global cases and deaths. According to WHO data, more than 90% of malaria-related fatalities occur on the African continent, where access to healthcare services and preventive measures remains limited in many regions.

Ghebreyesus stressed that sustained international cooperation is critical to ensuring that malaria control efforts do not lose momentum. He urged the United States to reconsider its decision and extend its financial support until alternative funding sources can be secured. He emphasized that any disruption in malaria prevention programs could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people living in endemic areas, where even a temporary lapse in intervention efforts could lead to widespread outbreaks and increased mortality rates.

The Impact of the U.S. Withdrawal on the WHO and Global Health Initiatives

In addition to its repercussions on malaria control, the decision by the U.S. government to withdraw from WHO membership and halt its contributions to the organization has raised broader concerns about the future of global health governance. This process was initially set in motion under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who formally announced the country’s departure from the organization. The move was met with widespread criticism from the international community, given that the U.S. had historically been WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing approximately 18% of the agency’s total budget in 2024.

Following the U.S. withdrawal, Germany stepped in to assume the role of WHO’s primary donor for the 2020-2021 period, significantly increasing its contributions to support ongoing health initiatives. However, the long-term sustainability of WHO programs remains uncertain, as the loss of U.S. funding has created substantial financial gaps that may hinder the organization’s ability to respond effectively to global health emergencies.

In this context, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to supporting WHO, emphasizing that “cooperation with the organization is crucial for safeguarding global health and preventing future pandemics.” Meanwhile, the new U.S. administration has doubled down on its stance by ordering an immediate suspension of all collaborative efforts with WHO. This decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for international health initiatives, potentially affecting efforts to combat not only malaria but also other pressing global health threats, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and emerging infectious diseases.

The Health Risks and Dangers of Malaria

Malaria remains one of the most widespread and deadly infectious diseases in the world, posing a significant threat to public health, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is caused by a parasitic infection from the Plasmodium genus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Once inside the human body, the parasite enters the bloodstream and migrates to the liver, where it multiplies before re-entering the bloodstream and attacking red blood cells.

The initial symptoms of malaria can be mild and resemble those of a common flu, including fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, if left untreated, the disease can rapidly progress to severe complications, including organ failure, severe anemia, neurological impairment, and, in some cases, death. The most severe form of malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is particularly deadly and is responsible for the majority of malaria-related fatalities worldwide.

Efforts to combat malaria have focused on several key strategies, including the widespread distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying with insecticides, early diagnosis and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), and the development of malaria vaccines. In recent years, WHO has approved new malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S (also known as Mosquirix), which have shown promise in reducing malaria incidence among young children in endemic regions. However, the successful implementation of these interventions depends heavily on sustained financial support and global cooperation.

Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Continued Global Support

As WHO continues to sound the alarm about the potential consequences of the U.S. funding withdrawal, public health experts warn that this decision could have a devastating impact on malaria eradication efforts worldwide. The loss of crucial financial resources threatens to stall progress, reverse hard-won gains, and place millions of lives at risk.

Ghebreyesus called upon the global community to step up and fill the funding gap to ensure that malaria control programs remain operational. He reiterated that investments in malaria prevention and treatment not only save lives but also contribute to stronger health systems and economic stability in affected regions.

Moving forward, WHO remains committed to working with governments, international donors, and private sector partners to sustain and expand malaria control efforts. However, without immediate action to secure alternative funding sources, the world could face a resurgence of malaria cases and deaths, setting back decades of progress in the fight against one of humanity’s most persistent and deadly diseases.