QUESTION

Where are the most deaths of malaria?

ANSWER

Over 90% of the deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in children under the age of five. According to the World Health Organisation’s 2011 World Malaria Report, the countries with the five highest numbers of reported malaria deaths for 2010 are (and number of reported deaths): Kenya (26,017 deaths), Democratic Republic of Congo (23,476), Tanzania (15,867), Burkina Faso (9,024) and Uganda (8,431).

However, it is important to note that this indicates the number of reported deaths that were confirmed as malaria; there are other countries in Africa which may have similar levels of malaria mortality but insufficient health infrastructure for accurate diagnosis of cause of death or reporting. Even in countries where reporting levels are high, causes of death are not always accurately determined.