Rwanda reported over 160,000 malaria cases in both October and November 2025, according to the latest data from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) malaria programme, as the rainy season created conditions for mosquito breeding. ALSO READ: How Rwanda is managing malaria surge amid rainy season The data show 114,804 cases in September, 165,854 in October, and 162,020 in November. “From September to January, malaria transmission is usually at its highest because of the rain,” said Dr Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Division Manager for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at RBC. ALSO READ: Rwanda rolls out new malaria strategy after recording 87,000 cases in March He added that authorities stepped up indoor residual spraying between October and December 2025 in 28 high-burden sectors across Gisagara, Nyanza, Bugesera, Kirehe, Rwamagana and Nyagatare, covering 1,031,676 people to help reduce transmission. Dr Mbituyumuremyi said that the programme will continue this year, adding that indoor residual spraying is planned between February and March in high-burden sectors of Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Muhanga, Gakenke, Musanze, Gicumbi, Rulindo, Nyamasheke, Karongi and Rusizi. He added that bed nets will also be distributed from February to June in sectors with moderate malaria burden. Rwanda has begun discussions on introducing a malaria vaccine into its national immunisation programme. Hassan Sibomana, Director of the Vaccine Programmes Unit at RBC, said the process is still at an early stage and no decision has been made on which vaccine would be selected. Once approved, it will be delivered through routine immunisation. “In January 2025, the government brought in new malaria medicines, including dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and artesunate-pyronaridine. They are now available in health facilities and at community level and are used alongside Coartem according to the deployment plan,” Dr Mbituyumuremyi said. He urged residents to remain vigilant, noting that even small puddles can become mosquito breeding sites. He advised people to cover containers, empty old tires and plant pots, clean blocked drains, keep grass and bushes trimmed, and always sleep under mosquito nets.
