The number of states and Union Territories (UTs) in India classified as having a high burden of malaria has significantly decreased from ten in 2015 to just two in 2023, according to the latest figures released by the health ministry. A state or UT is deemed to have a ‘high burden’ of malaria, referred to as Category 3, when there is more than one malaria case per 1,000 people under surveillance.
Over the years, many states have successfully transitioned from high-burden to much lower or even zero-burden classifications. In 2015, there were ten states and UTs classified as Category 3. However, by 2023, only Mizoram and Tripura remain in this category. Meanwhile, four other states—Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya—have improved their status and moved to Category 2. This category indicates that there are fewer than one malaria case per 1,000 population, although certain districts may still exhibit higher disease prevalence.
The latest report highlights that four states, specifically Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, have achieved Category 1 status. This classification indicates that there is less than one malaria case across all districts in these regions, signifying a significant improvement in the fight against malaria.
