The fight against malaria is bearing fruit in Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou-In Nabrabogo, a village in the Boussé health district in the Oubritenga region, the rainy season is no longer automatically associated with malaria, which once meant fever and anxiety for families. This time of year has long been difficult for many households. Now it is marked by better prevention and greater attention to protective measures within the community.

For Salimata, 31, mother of three, these changes are visible in daily life. Recalling how frequent malaria used to be in her family, her words reflect the change observed today: "For more than a year, none of us has suffered from the disease in the family. This is thanks to the preventive measures put in place in our community," she says.

In many rural areas of Burkina Faso, malaria remains present, especially during the rainy season when conditions favour mosquito breeding. Transmitted by bites from Anopheles mosquitoes, the disease most often manifests with fever, headaches, chills and severe fatigue. When detected and treated quickly, recovery is swift. Without early treatment, it can progress to severe forms, particularly in children under 5 years and pregnant women.

At the national level, malaria remains a major public health challenge. In 2025, Burkina Faso recorded over 7.3 million cases and nearly 2000 deaths linked to the disease. Although these figures are lower than in previous years, malaria is still the leading cause of health consultations and hospitalizations in the country's health facilities. It also represents a heavy burden for households due to medical costs, travel to health centres and loss of income.

Speaking about the country's commitment, Dr Sidzabda Kompaoré, Permanent Secretary for Malaria Elimination, emphasizes that the fight remains a national priority despite progress made.

"Despite the decline in cases and deaths, the figures remain unacceptable for a preventable and curable disease. Children and pregnant women remain among the most exposed populations. That is why Burkina Faso has strengthened political commitment and implemented increasingly effective strategies, including chemoprevention, vaccination, vector control and the use of insecticide-treated nets, to move towards malaria elimination."

National efforts also benefit from the support of technical and financial partners. The World Health Organization assists in campaign planning, training health workers and monitoring the disease. Dr Laurent Moyenga, WHO programme officer for HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and malaria, notes: "WHO supports Burkina Faso in implementing interventions, including malaria chemoprevention, mosquito net distribution and strengthening disease surveillance."

Among the main interventions is Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Plus (SMC+), implemented each year during the rainy season. This strategy involves giving antimalarial treatments to children aged 3 to 59 months to reduce the risk of infection during periods of high malaria transmission. It mobilizes community health teams and health facilities across all districts of the country.

SMC+ is part of an integrated community health approach. It also includes screening for malnutrition, eliminating mosquito breeding sites (stagnant water around homes), identifying under-vaccinated children and rapid management of fever cases at the community level.

On the ground, these efforts have led to a decline in malaria-related consultations. In Nabrabogo, at the local health centre, Abdoul Aziz Sawadogo, head nurse, observes this evolution through available data. "In 2024, we recorded 531 cases of uncomplicated malaria among children under 5 years, compared to 168 in 2025, a decrease of about 68%," he reports. Severe forms of the disease also declined over the same period.

This improvement is linked to the regularity of SMC+ campaigns and community involvement, particularly of mothers and local authorities. "Awareness about using mosquito nets, eliminating mosquito breeding sites and participating in prevention campaigns has helped change practices," adds Abdoul Aziz Sawadogo.

Beyond the numbers, these advances have a tangible impact on families' daily lives. In Nabrabogo, Salimata witnesses these changes day after day: "Seeing my children grow up without often falling ill allows me to focus on other priorities and save on healthcare expenses," she says.

These changes show that prevention, when well implemented, can deliver lasting results for communities.