PRESS RELEASE
The African Pest Control Association (APCA) joins the global community in commemorating World Malaria Day 2026, under the theme:
'Accelerate the fight: invest, innovate, and implement to end malaria'.
Malaria remains one of the deadliest yet preventable diseases in Africa. Despite decades of interventions, the continent continues to carry an overwhelming and unacceptable burden.
The alarming reality
According to the latest global health data:
- Africa accounts for approximately 95% of global malaria cases and deaths
- In 2024 alone, there were about 282 million malaria cases and over 610,000 deaths globally, with Africa recording about 579,000 deaths
- In 2023, Africa recorded over 251 million cases and about 579,000 deaths, with 76% of deaths occurring among children under five
- The malaria transmission rate in Africa stands at approximately 192 cases per 1,000 people at risk, with about 44 deaths per 100,000 population.
A handful of countries continue to bear the heaviest burden:
- Nigeria contributes the highest share of global malaria deaths (over 30%)
- The other African countries are Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, Niger, Tanzania, and Ghana.
Together, these countries account for a significant proportion of global malaria transmission and mortality.
This is not just a health crisis. It is an environmental failure.
BPCA is supportive of colleagues in regions where vector-borne disease is a daily challenge and recognise the valuable mosquito control expertise developed in regions where malaria remains a major threat. As climate change concerns increase, so do the chances of mosquito-borne risks, and lessons from international colleagues may become increasingly relevant in the UK.
Environmental health perspective: the root cause
As environmental health professionals, APCA emphasises that malaria is fundamentally driven by uncontrolled mosquito breeding environments.
Mosquitoes thrive in:
- Stagnant water bodies
- Poor drainage systems
- Unplanned urban settlements
- Waste dumps and blocked gutters
- Flood-prone and poorly managed environments.
The continued existence of these breeding spaces across African cities and rural communities is the single greatest driver of malaria transmission.
Until Africa confronts this environmental reality, malaria will persist.
African success stories: lessons from malaria-free countries
Africa has proven that malaria elimination is possible.
Countries that have achieved malaria-free status include Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritius, Seychelles and Cabo Verde.
These countries succeeded through:
- Strong government commitment and sustained funding
- Aggressive environmental sanitation and vector control
- Effective surveillance and rapid response systems
- Strict elimination of mosquito breeding sites
- Integrated public health and environmental policies.
Other African governments must learn that malaria elimination is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate environmental and policy action.
What must be done: APCA recommendations
APCA calls on African governments, institutions, and stakeholders to urgently adopt a preventive, environment-centered approach.
1. Eliminate mosquito breeding spaces
- Enforce sanitation laws targeting stagnant water and waste management
- Invest in proper drainage and urban planning
- Regular environmental inspections and compliance enforcement.
2. Institutionalise Integrated Vector Management (IVM)
- Combine environmental control, biological control, and safe chemical use
- Engage certified pest control professionals in national strategies.
3. Strengthen environmental health systems
- Deploy trained environmental health officers at community levels
- Integrate pest control into public health policy.
4. Move beyond over-reliance on mosquito nets
- Address structural issues such as poor housing, overcrowding, and ventilation
- Provide sustainable alternatives that tackle the source, not just symptoms.
5. Invest in public awareness and behavioural change
- Nationwide campaigns on environmental sanitation
- Community-driven mosquito control initiatives.
6. Increase funding and political commitment
- Close the malaria funding gap
- Treat malaria as both a public health emergency and environmental crisis.
Conclusion
Malaria is preventable, controllable, and eliminable.
Africa does not lack solutions. It lacks implementation, enforcement, and environmental discipline.
APCA calls on all African governments to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, focusing on eliminating mosquito breeding spaces as the cornerstone of malaria control.
Until we destroy the breeding grounds, we will continue to bury our children.
Signed:
Innocent Onjeh
President, African Pest Control Association (APCA)
Francis Nwapa
Acting Secretary, APCA
Dike Harrison Ayomide
Media and Publicity Secretary, APCA
Source: Online