World Malaria Day 2026
awarenessSunday, April 25, 2027
222 days from today · next occurrence
About World Malaria Day
World Malaria Day takes place every year on April 25 and draws global attention to one of humanity's oldest and most preventable infectious diseases. Led by the World Health Organization, the day highlights both progress and unfinished business: malaria still sickens hundreds of millions of people annually, and most deaths occur among young children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Each year the WHO chooses a theme that shines a spotlight on a part of the response, from insecticide-treated bed nets and rapid diagnostic tests to new vaccines and community health workers. Governments, universities, charities, and health ministries use the date to report on their goals, release fresh data, and rally funding.
For the general public, the day is a chance to learn how simple interventions save lives, to donate to proven programs, and to remember that a disease many countries eliminated decades ago remains a daily reality elsewhere in the world.
When is World Malaria Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 25, 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April 25, 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | April 25, 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | April 25, 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | April 25, 2030 | Thursday |
History of World Malaria Day
April 25 was first designated Africa Malaria Day in 2000, a year after African heads of state met in Abuja and committed to coordinated action against the disease. In 2007 the World Health Assembly expanded the observance to World Malaria Day, recognizing that the fight needed global partners and global funding. The date honors the signing of the Abuja Declaration. Since then, the observance has tracked real milestones, including the scale-up of bed nets, artemisinin combination therapies, seasonal spraying campaigns, and the approval of the first malaria vaccines, while reminding the world that elimination remains within reach.
How to Celebrate World Malaria Day
- Learn how bed nets, repellents, and standing-water control stop mosquitoes from spreading malaria.
- Donate to a vetted program that supplies nets, testing, or treatment in high-burden countries.
- Share WHO malaria statistics and prevention tips on social media using the day's official hashtag.
- If you live in or travel to a malaria zone, talk to a clinician about prophylaxis before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is World Malaria Day?
- World Malaria Day falls every year on April 25, the anniversary of the 2000 Abuja Declaration on malaria control.
- Is World Malaria Day a public holiday?
- No. It is a global health observance led by the World Health Organization, not a public holiday, so businesses, schools, and government offices open as usual.
- How do people celebrate World Malaria Day?
- Health organizations observe the day with awareness campaigns, fundraising drives, community testing events, and lectures. Individuals celebrate by donating nets, sharing prevention information, or volunteering with public health groups.