Current Malaria Burden in Burundi (2022)
Malaria remains Burundi’s leading public health challenge, with over 8.2 million cases reported in 2022, up from 6.7 million in 2021. Transmission occurs year-round, peaking between March–May and October–December, often triggering localized epidemics. The disease accounts for 13.9% of in-hospital deaths, with a high fatality rate among hospitalized patients.
The National Malaria Strategic Plan (2021–2027) aims to reduce malaria morbidity by 60% and eliminate mortality by 2027. Key interventions include:
- • Use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs)
- • Intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp)
- • Community-based case management using artemisinin-based combination therapies
However, progress is challenged by climate change, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access. There is limited understanding of malaria transmission in highlands and a short-lived impact of LLINs, suggesting vector resistance and adaptation. Additionally, gaps in surveillance, climate data, and resistance trends hinder early warning systems and operational planning.
Ongoing Research & Future Directions
Our interdisciplinary research at the Doctoral School of the University of Burundi, launched in 2021, aims to close knowledge gaps in malaria epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and control effectiveness. Early findings from several studies (e.g., @Denis, @Joelle, @Collins) show regional variation in malaria risks due to climate change, growing asymptomatic burden, and presence of drug resistance mutations.
We are currently implementing the following specific research activities:
- Determine risk factors for clinical malaria including age, sex, occupation, bed net use, and living conditions.
- Conduct qPCR-screening of asymptomatic individuals to estimate the hidden burden contributing to transmission. Reducing this reservoir is essential.
- Typing of hrp2 and hrp3 deletions to assess the proportion of false-negative rapid diagnostic tests despite high parasite density.
- Genotyping of drug resistance markers to inform molecular surveillance and timely response to emerging resistant strains.
These activities will contribute to better diagnosis, improved outbreak prediction, and evidence-based malaria control strategies tailored to Burundi's context. We are grateful to our global academic partners including Prof. Joseph, @Koepfli (ND), Prof Ogana Wandera, Prof Juma Shabani, and @Collins (KEMRI) for their support and collaboration.