Rwanda malaria burden rises to 7.6% in 2024/2025 as cases increase, RBC reports

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has reported an increase in malaria prevalence in Rwanda, with the disease affecting 76 people per 1,000 population—equivalent to 7.6%—in the 2024/2025 period, up from 4.5% recorded in 2023/2024.

According to RBC, malaria trends in Rwanda have fluctuated significantly over the years, driven by various environmental and biological factors.

In 2013, Rwanda had reduced malaria prevalence to 36 cases per 1,000 people. However, in 2016, the country experienced a major resurgence, with cases rising sharply to about 400 per 1,000 and an estimated 5 million infections reported.

Following intensified national interventions, cases declined again to 45 per 1,000 in 2023/2024. However, the latest data shows another increase to 76 per 1,000 in 2024/2025.

Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Head of the Malaria and Other Vector-Borne Diseases Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said Rwanda continues to implement strong measures aimed at eliminating malaria, and remains among African countries making notable progress in control efforts.

He explained that the recent increase is mainly linked to resistance developed by both malaria parasites and mosquitoes.

“The increase in malaria cases is driven by several factors, but the most important is that the malaria parasite has developed resistance to some of the drugs we have been using. This affects treatment effectiveness and leads to reinfection within a short time,” he said.

He added that mosquitoes have also adapted by changing their biting behaviour, increasingly feeding outdoors, which reduces the effectiveness of indoor interventions such as spraying and insecticide-treated nets.

Despite the recent rise, RBC notes that malaria cases and deaths have generally declined over time due to sustained control measures, including distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, expansion of community-based healthcare, and indoor residual spraying campaigns.

RBC figures show that in 2025/2026, malaria cases stood at 928,616, down from 1,131,314 in 2024/2025, indicating a recent decline after the previous surge.

The most affected districts include Gisagara, Gasabo, Bugesera, Ngoma, Kayonza, Nyagatare, and Kirehe.

Recent surveillance data from March 2026 shows Ngoma District recorded 8,527 cases, followed by Kayonza (5,839), Gasabo (5,709), Kicukiro (2,941), and Gisagara (2,769).

RBC says Rwanda continues to scale up targeted interventions, including the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets every three years, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five.

The centre also conducts indoor residual spraying once a year in high-risk areas and strengthens community-level testing and treatment through community health workers to ensure early diagnosis and response.