Ethiopia has experienced its most severe malaria outbreak in history, with 8.4 million cases reported since the beginning of 2024. According to a recent report, weekly malaria cases in the country now average over 300,000, marking an unprecedented public health crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that almost every district in Ethiopia has reported malaria cases this year, with many exceeding epidemic thresholds. The disease, endemic in areas below 2,000 meters in altitude, affects approximately 69% of Ethiopia’s population and spans three-quarters of the nation’s land area.
Malaria in Ethiopia typically peaks twice a year: first between September and December, following the primary rainy season, and again from April to May after the secondary rainy season. The 2024 outbreak has stretched the country’s healthcare system, with the WHO warning that the scale of this epidemic demands immediate action.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical charity, has also expressed alarm at the situation, urging an “urgent and targeted” response to control the outbreak. MSF has emphasized the need for enhanced preparedness, particularly in high-risk areas and among vulnerable populations affected by seasonal changes and internal population movements.
As malaria continues to surge across the nation, health organizations are calling for swift measures to contain the epidemic and mitigate its devastating impact on Ethiopia’s population.