Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease transmitted to vertebrates by Anopheles mosquitoes. Human malaria typically presents symptoms like fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches, sometimes escalating to jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms typically emerge 10-15 days post-bite, and untreated cases can relapse months later. Reinfection in survivors initially causes milder symptoms due to partial resistance, which wanes over time without continuous exposure. Notably, Plasmodium infection also negatively impacts the mosquito vector's lifespan.
1900: Confirmation of Mosquito Transmission
Finlay and Ross's findings on mosquito transmission of malaria were confirmed in 1900.
1900: Malaria Endemic Countries Reduced
In 1900, the number of countries where malaria was endemic stood at 200.
1900: Changes in Temperature and Rainfall in Africa
Since 1900, there has been substantial change in temperature and rainfall over Africa, influencing mosquito breeding and malaria transmission.
1902: Nobel Prize for Ross
Ronald Ross received the 1902 Nobel Prize in Medicine for proving the life-cycle of the malaria parasite in mosquitoes.
1907: Nobel Prize for Laveran
Alphonse Laveran was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1907 for discovering the malaria parasite.
1910: Malaria's Impact on Warfare
In 1910, Ronald Ross published "The Prevention of Malaria," including a chapter emphasizing malaria's historical impact on wars. The chapter argued that many past "camp fevers" and dysentery outbreaks were likely malaria.
1917: Malariotherapy
Plasmodium vivax was used for malariotherapy to induce fever and combat diseases like syphilis between 1917 and the 1940s.
1927: Nobel Prize for Wagner-Jauregg
Julius Wagner-Jauregg received the Nobel Prize for malariotherapy in 1927.
1942: Malaria Control in War Areas Established
The Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA) initiative was established in 1942 to combat malaria near military bases in the southern United States and its territories.
1946: Communicable Disease Center Established
In 1946, the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) was founded, succeeding the MCWA, with a focus on controlling communicable diseases.
1950: Paraguay Starts Malaria Eradication Effort
Paraguay initiated a national malaria eradication effort in 1950.
1951: Malaria Eradication in the US
The United States eradicated malaria as a major public health concern in 1951.
1955: Global Malaria Eradication Program Launch
In 1955, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Global Malaria Eradication Program (GMEP). This program primarily used DDT for mosquito control and focused on rapid diagnosis and treatment to interrupt malaria transmission.
1963: Malaria Cases Drop in Sri Lanka
In 1963, Sri Lanka witnessed a significant decrease in malaria cases to just 18, attributed to the GMEP's efforts.
1964: Continued Low Malaria Cases in Sri Lanka
In 1964, Sri Lanka maintained a low number of malaria cases, with only 29 reported, demonstrating the program's continued success.
1965: Economic Impact of Malaria
From 1965 to 1990, countries with prevalent malaria experienced significantly slower economic growth. Their average per capita GDP increased by only 0.4% annually, compared to 2.4% in countries without widespread malaria.
1967: Promising Malaria Vaccine Studies in Mice
In 1967, promising studies showed the potential of a malaria vaccine by immunizing mice with radiation-attenuated sporozoites, which provided significant protection against subsequent infection.
1968: Malaria Resurgence in Sri Lanka
Following a pause in the GMEP in 1968, malaria cases in Sri Lanka resurged to 600,000, highlighting the program's importance.
1969: Continued Malaria Resurgence in Sri Lanka
During the first quarter of 1969, the malaria resurgence in Sri Lanka continued, reaching 600,000 cases before the resumption of DDT vector control.
1969: GMEP Suspension
The WHO suspended the GMEP in 1969 due to challenges such as vector and parasite resistance, along with environmental and safety concerns related to DDT spraying. The focus shifted from eradication to malaria control and treatment.
1990: Long-Term Economic Impact of Malaria
The period from 1965 to 1990 highlighted the negative long-term impact of malaria on economic growth in affected countries.
1993: Malaria Deaths in Europe
Around 900 people died from malaria in Europe between 1993 and 2003.
1995: GDP Disparity Linked to Malaria
In 1995, a fivefold difference in average per capita GDP was observed between countries with and without malaria, after adjusting for purchasing power parity. Countries with malaria had a per capita GDP of US$1,526, while those without malaria averaged US$8,268.
2000: Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Child Mortality
In 2000, only 1.7 million (1.8%) African children in malaria-endemic regions were protected by ITNs.
2000: Increased Support for Malaria Eradication
Support for malaria eradication increased in 2000, coinciding with the Millennium Development Goals, which included a target to reverse the global increase in malaria incidence by 2015.
2000: Greater Mekong Subregion Progress
Since 2000, the Greater Mekong Subregion countries achieved a 97% reduction in P. falciparum malaria cases and a 90% reduction in all malaria cases.
2000: Twelve Countries Certified Malaria-Free
Between 2000 and June 30, 2021, twelve countries were certified malaria-free by the WHO.
2000: Decline in Malaria Mortality Rate
Between 2000 and 2015, the global malaria mortality rate decreased by 60%, according to the WHO's World Malaria Report 2015.
2000: Increase in ITN Use Since 2000
Since 2000, ITN use has increased due to accelerated production and distribution.
2000: Malaria Mortality Rates Decline
Between 2000 and 2019, malaria mortality rates among all ages halved.
2002: Plasmodium falciparum Genome Sequenced
The genome of Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria parasite, was sequenced and published in 2002.
2003: Locally Acquired Malaria in Florida
Eight cases of locally acquired P. vivax malaria were identified in Florida in 2003.
2004: Global ITN Distribution
Over 2.5 billion ITNs have been distributed globally since 2004, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.
2006: Malaria No More Sets Goal
In 2006, Malaria No More aimed to eliminate malaria from Africa by 2015.
2006: WHO Recommendation for Insecticides in IRS Operations
In 2006, the World Health Organization recommended 12 insecticides, including DDT, cyfluthrin, and deltamethrin, for use in Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) operations to control malaria. This limited public health use of DDT is allowed under the Stockholm Convention, which bans its agricultural use. One challenge with IRS is the development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.
2007: Increased ITN Usage in Africa
ITN use among African children increased to 20.3 million (18.5%) in 2007, but 89.6 million remained unprotected.
2007: WHO Applies for Funding from the Gates Foundation
In 2007, The WHO applied for funding from the Gates Foundation to support malaria eradication efforts.
2007: World Malaria Day Established
World Malaria Day was established in 2007 by the 60th session of the World Health Assembly.
2008: ITNs Save Infant Lives
Between 2000 and 2008, ITNs saved an estimated 250,000 infants in sub-Saharan Africa.
2009: Highest Malaria Death Rates
In 2009, countries with the highest malaria death rates per 100,000 population included Ivory Coast, Angola, and Burkina Faso.
2010: China's Malaria Elimination Strategy
In 2010, China announced its strategy to eliminate malaria.
2010: Malaria Rates Decrease
From 2010 to 2014, global malaria rates decreased.
2010: Deadliest Countries for Malaria
A 2010 estimate indicated Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Mali as the deadliest countries for malaria per population.
2011: Increased ITN Usage in Sub-Saharan Africa
ITN usage among children in sub-Saharan Africa increased from less than 40% in 2011 to over 50% in 2021.
2012: Substandard Antimalarial Drugs
A 2012 study revealed that about one-third of antimalarial medications in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa failed quality tests, posing a significant public health risk.
2012: Global Fund Distributes Nets, Clinton Foundation Stabilizes Artemisinin Prices, Malaria Policy Advisory Committee Formed
In 2012, The Global Fund distributed 230 million insecticide-treated nets, the Clinton Foundation worked to stabilize artemisinin prices, and the WHO formed the Malaria Policy Advisory Committee.
2013: Resistance to Artemisinin Combination Therapy Detected
In 2013, resistance to the combination of artemisinin and piperaquine was first detected in Cambodia.
2013: WHO Sets Goal for Transmission-Blocking Malaria Vaccines
In 2013, the WHO and malaria vaccine funders set a goal to develop vaccines to interrupt malaria transmission, with the long-term aim of eradication.
2014: Shift in Malaria Rates
After decreasing from 2010 to 2014, malaria rates began to increase again from 2015 to 2021.
2014: Last Indigenous Malaria Case in Tajikistan
Tajikistan reported the last indigenous malaria case in the WHO European Region in 2014.
2015: Malaria Rates Increase
Malaria rates increased from 2015 to 2021, after a period of decline.
2015: Increase in Malaria Cases in Some Countries
While some countries made progress towards 2020 goals, 15 countries saw a 40% or greater increase in malaria cases between 2015 and 2020.
2015: Nobel Prize for Tu Youyou
Tu Youyou received the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work on artemisinin, a malaria treatment derived from Artemisia annua.
2015: WHO European Region Malaria-Free
The WHO European Region became malaria-free in 2015. Deaths attributable to malaria were reduced by 60% from a 2000 estimate.
2015: WHO Targets 90% Reduction in Malaria Deaths
In 2015, the WHO set a target of a 90% reduction in malaria deaths by 2030.
2015: First Malaria Vaccine Approved
In 2015, the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, was approved by European regulators.
2015: Malaria-Nematode Co-infection Interaction
A 2015 study showed that co-infection with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis reduced malaria virulence in mice, likely by increasing red blood cell destruction and creating a younger cell population less susceptible to the parasite.
2015: Millennium Development Goals Target Year
2015 was the target year for the Millennium Development Goals, which included reversing the global increase in malaria incidence.
2015: ITN Usage in Africa
By 2015, 68% of African children were using mosquito nets.
2016: ITN Coverage in Angola
In 2016, only 31% of households in Angola had ITNs.
2017: Significant Decrease in Malaria Endemic Countries
By 2017, the number of malaria-endemic countries had decreased to 86.
2017: Genetically Modified Bacteria for Malaria Prevention
In 2017, a Serratia bacterial strain was genetically modified to prevent malaria in mosquitos.
2018: Paraguay Declared Malaria-Free
In 2018, the WHO declared Paraguay free of malaria after a decades-long effort.
2019: ITN Coverage
In 2019, only 36% of households had enough ITNs for all members, according to UNICEF.
2019: Malaria Atlas Project Update
The Malaria Atlas Project published an updated map of P. falciparum endemicity in 2019.
2019: Identification of Essential Genes in Liver Stage of Malaria
In 2019, research using knockout mutants of Plasmodium berghei identified potentially essential genes in the liver stage of malaria and created a computational model to analyze pre-erythrocytic development and liver-stage metabolism.
2019: Argentina and Algeria Declared Malaria-Free
In 2019, both Argentina and Algeria were declared free of malaria.
2019: Decrease in ITN Deliveries and ITN Coverage in Guinea-Bissau
In 2019, 33 million fewer ITNs were delivered compared to 2021. Approximately 97% of households in Guinea-Bissau had ITNs.
2019: Increase in Malaria Deaths
Between 2019 and 2020, the number of malaria deaths increased by 10% due partly to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, according to UNICEF.
2019: Malaria Deaths in Children
Children under five accounted for 67% of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019. Malaria deaths among children under five declined by nearly half (47%) from 781,000 in 2000 to 416,000 in 2019.
2019: Spread of Artemisinin Resistance
By 2019, resistance to the artemisinin and piperaquine combination had spread across Cambodia and into neighboring countries, with up to 80% resistance in some areas.
December 2020: Malaria Endemicity and COVID-19 Case Fatality Rates
In December 2020, a review article suggested a correlation between malaria-endemic regions and lower COVID-19 case fatality rates.
2020: Missed 2020 Malaria Reduction Goal
The WHO's 2020 goal of a 40% reduction in malaria deaths and eradication in 10 countries was not met, with a slight increase in cases compared to 2015.
2020: Decrease in ITN Deliveries
In 2020, there was a decrease of 9 million ITNs delivered compared to 2019.
2020: RTS,S and R21 Vaccine Efficacy Studies
In 2020, studies showed the RTS,S vaccine reduced malaria risk by about 40% in African children. A preprint study indicated 77% efficacy for the R21 vaccine.
2020: Further Reduction in Malaria Endemic Countries
By 2020, an additional 20 countries were no longer classified as malaria-endemic.
April 2021: WHO's E-2025 Initiative
Ahead of World Malaria Day on April 25, 2021, WHO identified 25 countries as part of its E-2025 initiative, which aims to eliminate malaria in these countries by 2025.
June 2021: El Salvador and China Declared Malaria-Free
During the first half of 2021, El Salvador and China were declared malaria-free.
2021: Increased ITN Usage in Sub-Saharan Africa
The percentage of children sleeping under ITNs in sub-Saharan Africa rose to over 50% by 2021, up from less than 40% in 2011.
2021: WHO Confirms Malaria Elimination in China
The World Health Organization confirmed China's elimination of malaria in 2021.
2021: Global Malaria Cases and Deaths
In 2021, the WHO estimated 247 million malaria cases and 619,000 deaths. Funding for malaria control and elimination reached $3.5 billion, half the estimated need.
2021: Funding for Malaria Elimination
In 2021, the total funding for malaria control and elimination was $3.5 billion, only half the estimated need according to UNICEF.
2021: WHO Conditional Recommendation for House Screening
In 2021, the World Health Organization conditionally recommended comprehensive house screening, including ceilings, doors, and eaves, as a measure to reduce malaria transmission. The WHO noted important local considerations such as delivery methods, maintenance, house design, feasibility, resource availability, and scalability.
2021: R21/Matrix-M Vaccine Achieves WHO Efficacy Goal
In 2021, a Phase IIb trial of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine demonstrated 77% efficacy over 12 months, the first to meet the WHO's target of at least 75% efficacy.
2021: Malaria Testing and Treatment Disparities
In 2021, only about 28% of children with fever in sub-Saharan Africa received malaria testing, with disparities between richer and poorer children. 61% received medical advice or treatment, also with wealth disparities.
2021: ITN Deliveries and Household Coverage
In 2021, about 220 million ITNs were delivered, a decrease from previous years. 66% of households in sub-Saharan Africa had ITNs, but only slightly over half had enough for all members.
2021: Development of Lethal House Lure Method
In 2021, In2Care BV, with funding from USAID, developed the EaveTube, a ventilation tube containing insecticide-treated netting. It's designed to attract and kill mosquitoes entering homes, using the "Lethal House Lure" method. The WHO is currently evaluating its efficacy.
2021: Countries with Endemic Malaria
As of 2021, 84 countries had endemic malaria.
2021: Slight Decline in Malaria Deaths
After a rise in 2020, the number of malaria deaths experienced a minor decline in 2021, per UNICEF.
2021: Cochrane Review on Ivermectin for Malaria
A 2021 Cochrane review found low-quality evidence suggesting that community administration of ivermectin does not significantly reduce malaria transmission.
2021: High Child Mortality from Malaria
In 2021, nearly every minute a child under five died from malaria, many of which were preventable and treatable deaths according to UNICEF.
December 2022: BioNTECH Develops mRNA-based Malaria Vaccine
In December 2022, BioNTECH began a Phase 1 trial of BN165, an mRNA-based malaria vaccine targeting the circumsporozite protein (CSP), in adults. Unlike other malaria vaccines, it's being tested in adults, potentially targeting both travelers and residents of endemic countries.
2022: Monoclonal Antibody L9LS Shows Promise
A 2022 clinical trial showed that the monoclonal antibody mAb L9LS offered protection against malaria by binding to and neutralizing the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP-1), essential for the parasite.
2022: Global Malaria Statistics
In 2022, there were approximately 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths, mostly in children under five, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected region.
2023: Natural Malaria Prevention by Delftia tsuruhatensis
In 2023, the bacterium Delftia tsuruhatensis was found to naturally prevent malaria development by secreting Harmane.
2023: Malaria Prevention and Treatment
As of 2023, preventative measures for malaria included mosquito nets, insect repellents, insecticides, and draining standing water. Medications like sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine were recommended for infants and pregnant women. Two WHO-endorsed vaccines were available. Treatment involved artemisinin-based combination therapy, sometimes with mefloquine, lumefantrine, or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. Alternatives included quinine and doxycycline. Due to drug resistance, confirmation of malaria was advised before treatment.
2023: WHO Confirms Malaria Elimination in Several Countries
In 2023, the WHO confirmed that Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Belize had eliminated malaria.
2023: Two Licensed Malaria Vaccines and Ongoing Efforts
As of 2023, two malaria vaccines are licensed. Other approaches to combat malaria include increased investment in research and primary health care, along with continued surveillance to prevent resurgence in areas where malaria has been eliminated.
2023: Malaria Prevention and Eradication
As of 2023, malaria prevention methods included medications, mosquito control, and preventing bites. Two WHO-approved vaccines were available for children. Malaria presence depended on human and mosquito population density and transmission rates. Elimination was possible but costly, especially in less populated areas.
2025: Greater Mekong Subregion Elimination Goal
The Greater Mekong Subregion countries aim to eliminate P. falciparum malaria by 2025 and all malaria by 2030.
2030: Potential Revenue Forecast for BNT-165
A commercial assessment forecasts potential gross revenues of $479 million in 2030 for BNT-165, five years post-launch, based on point-of-sale adjusted revenue.
2030: Greater Mekong Subregion Elimination Goal
The Greater Mekong Subregion aims to eliminate all types of malaria by 2030.
2030: Sustainable Development Goals Target for Malaria Eradication
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals set a target to end the malaria epidemic by 2030.
2050: Potential Elimination of Malaria as a Wild Human Disease
Experts suggest that malaria could be eliminated as a wild disease in humans by 2050, advocating for increased funding, a central data repository, and trained personnel, as detailed in a Lancet report.
2050: Global Malaria Eradication Target
With improved diagnostics, treatments, and vector control, the world aims to be nearly malaria-free by 2050. This requires better organization and more funding.