Malaria cases up 81% in Colombia in 2024
Plasmodium vivax predominates
Through November 2, 2024, there has been a cumulative total of 110,343 malaria cases reported in Colombia, according to health authorities. This is a 81 percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2023.
Plasmodium vivax predominates accounting for 61.9% of cases (68,333), followed by P. falciparum with 36.2% (39,987) and mixed infections with 1.8% (2,023).
Cia has been in an outbreak situation since the beginning of the year, although a downward trend is observed in recent weeks.
During the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, climatic conditions related to the El Niño and La Niña phenomena occurred. This increase could be linked to changes in the dynamics of the vector's breeding sites.
Concerning the distribution of cases by origin, the departments that reported the most malaria cases include: Chocó 35.4%, Antioquia 13.3%, Córdoba 10.9%, Vaupés 8.7% and Nariño 7.3%.
Regarding the social and demographic characteristics of malaria cases, 56.8% (62,653) correspond to men, 25% (22,207) occur in people aged 14 to 19 years (Figure 3), 31.4% (24,292) occur in Afro-Colombians and 39.9% (44,055) occur in indigenous people.
By place of origin, 49.8% (54,945) come from dispersed rural areas. By affiliation regime, 84.7% (93,478) belong to the subsidized regime, among the priority occupations are miners and stonemasons with 3.7% (4,179), these mainly in the municipalities of El Bagre, Rioquito, Quibdó, Barbacoas, Tadó, Cantón De San Pablo and Lloró.
1,875 cases of complicated malaria and 16 deaths were reported.
An estimated 427 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide by 2023, an increase from the 245 million reported in 2022. In terms of deaths, 619,000 deaths were reported globally. This increase was especially notable in certain regions, particularly in Africa, which accounts for 94% of cases (233,000) and 95% of deaths (580,000).
In the Americas, malaria remains a public health challenge, although its impact varies by country and region. The disease is endemic mainly in the Amazon region and other rural and jungle areas of countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Guyana, Suriname and Bolivia. Malaria in this region is mostly linked to the parasites Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, with P. vivax being the most common in most countries.