Mozambique recorded a significant increase in malaria cases and deaths in 2025, with 496 fatalities reported, representing a 39% rise compared to 358 deaths in 2024, according to data from the Mozambican Ministry of Health released on Wednesday.
The data shows that total malaria infections rose by 11% to 12.8 million cases in 2025, up from 11.6 million the previous year. Children under the age of five accounted for 4.8 million of the reported cases, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
In response, health officials stressed the availability of effective diagnosis and treatment, urging the public to seek care and follow medical guidance to prevent avoidable deaths. Inês António of the National Malaria Control Programme emphasised that no malaria-related deaths should occur if proper protocols are followed.
Looking ahead to 2026, early figures indicate 49 malaria-related deaths within the first six weeks out of over 1.3 million infections, even as cases surged by 55% compared to the same period in 2025. Despite the rise in infections, the number of deaths dropped by 38%, suggesting some improvement in treatment outcomes, according to Public Health Director Quinhas Fernandes.