Surveillance

At present, only one tenth of the over 200 million malaria cases that are estimated to occur each year are detected and reported through national malaria surveillance systems. WHO urges malaria-endemic countries to strengthen their disease surveillance, health information and vital registration systems. The data generated through such systems are essential for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of health interventions. In April 2012, WHO released two operational manuals on malaria surveillance to provide updated guidance on global reporting standards, and to guide countries in their efforts to strengthen malaria surveillance systems.