Diagnosis
Prompt malaria diagnosis either by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests is recommended by WHO for all patients with suspected malaria before they are given treatment.
Global Malaria Programme
The WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is responsible for coordinating WHO's global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Its work is guided by the "Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030" adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2015 and updated in 2025.
Case management
Each year, more than 600 000 people die of malaria – a treatable disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria is essential for both rapid and effective case management. High-quality malaria diagnosis, through microscopy or rapid diagnostic testing, is important in all malaria-endemic settings. The best available treatment, particularly for P. falciparum malaria, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
WHO Guidelines for malaria
The WHO Guidelines for malaria bring together all current WHO recommendations on malaria in one easy-to-navigate web-based platform. They are a living resource that will be updated periodically as new evidence becomes available. The Guidelines are currently available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
Key areas
Treatment
Prompt treatment – within 24 hours of fever onset – with effective and safe antimalarial is necessary to effect a cure and prevent life-threatening complications.
Drug efficacy and resistance
Regular monitoring of antimalarial drug efficacy is needed to inform national treatment policies, and to ensure early detection of, and response to, drug resistance.
Publications
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11 December 2024
World malaria report 2024
Each year, the World malaria report serves as a vital tool to assess global progress and gaps in the fight against malaria. This year’s report provides...
6 December 2024
Response plan to pfhrp2 gene deletions, second edition
The emergence of P. falciparum parasites with deletions in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes in most malaria-endemic regions poses a significant biological threat...
20 November 2024
Multiple first-line therapies as part of the response to antimalarial drug resistance
Effective malaria case management requires quick access to diagnostics and antimalarial treatments to reduce illness and death. Artemisinin-based combination...
27 May 2024
Guiding principles for prioritizing malaria interventions in resource-constrained country contexts to...
In response to ever increasing financial constraints, the WHO Global Malaria Programme and Regional Offices, in consultation with selected national malaria...
8 November 2023
Pre-referral treatment with rectal artesunate of children with suspected severe malaria: a field guide
Prompt, effective antimalarial treatment, and supportive care can substantially reduce the rate of mortality from severe malaria. However, many children...
18 November 2022
Strategy to respond to antimalarial drug resistance in Africa
The Strategy to respond to antimalarial drug resistance in Africa is a technical and advocacy document, grounded in the best available evidence to date...
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