Malaria Elimination

The malaria map is shrinking. In high burden areas malaria parasite prevalence has been reduced dramatically. Around 100 countries are now free from malaria. According to WHO estimates, malaria incidence (the rate of new malaria cases) fell by 37% between 2000 and 2015. In that same period, malaria death rates among populations at risk fell by 60% globally among all age groups and by 65% among children under 5.

But the gains in the fight against malaria are fragile and unevenly distributed. About 3.2 billion people – nearly half the world’s population – remain at risk. In 2015 alone, there were 214 million new cases of malaria and more than 400 000 malaria-related deaths.

Swiss TPH conducts research to control and eliminate malaria in different regions and provides assistance to countries in the development of national malaria elimination strategies.

The objective of the International Center for Excellence in Malaria Research in Southeast Asia is to advance knowledge of how programmes to control malaria in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands affect the epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of malaria infection and morbidity. Research and capacity building activities of this programme will be useful to health officials and other stakeholders. Read more

A new malaria transmission model for Zanzibar distinguishes between imported, introduced, and indigenous cases to assess elimination prospects. Findings show imported cases sustain plateaued prevalence. By estimating transmission sources and evaluating intervention impact, the model provides valuable insights to guide public health strategies toward malaria elimination in Zanzibar and other affected regions worldwide. Read more