Pandemic could cause additional malaria deaths, WHO says

The World Health Organization on Thursday said its analysis shows disruptions to malaria prevention and treatment services during the coronavirus pandemic are on the rise.

"Severe disruptions to insecticide-treated net campaigns and access to antimalarial medicines could lead to a doubling in the number of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa this year compared to 2019," the WHO said in its analysis.

The organization urged authorities to move fast and distribute malaria prevention and treatment tools at this stage of the coronavirus outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa, and do their utmost to safely maintain essential malaria control services.

"Under the worst-case scenario, in which all insecticide-treated net campaigns are suspended and there is a 75 percent reduction in access to effective antimalarial medicines, the estimated tally of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 would reach 769,000, twice the number of deaths reported in the region in 2019. This would represent a return to malaria mortality levels last seen 20 years ago," the WHO said.

According to the health body, governments should avail preventive therapies for pregnant women and children and provide prompt diagnostic testing and effective antimalarial medicines in order to prevent a mild case of malaria from progressing to severe illness and death.

"We commend the leaders of Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Chad for initiating insecticide-treated nets campaigns during the coronavirus pandemic. Other countries are adapting their net distribution strategies to ensure households receive nets as quickly and safely as possible," the WHO said.

"WHO and partners have developed guidance to ensure those suffering from malaria can safely receive the care they need within the package of essential health services to be delivered in COVID-19 settings."