Briefing: The risk of malaria resurgence

A newly released policy briefing by the Malaria Elimination Initiative documents the underlying reasons and potential dangers of resurgent malaria. When gains made in controlling malaria are not maintained, countries are likely at risk for resurgence - defined as rising malaria incidence or prevalence following suppression of control efforts. As countries move toward elimination and transmission is reduced, funding tends to shift towards other health priorities, often resulting in malaria bouncing back to pre-elimination levels, as was the case with countries including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. A resurgence event is costly and can lead to avoidable deaths and illness. The new briefing highlights that sustained financial and political support can ensure countries prevent resurgence and maintain gains toward malaria elimination.