Malaria in Ethiopia

31 Mar 2025

According to the Ethiopian government a total of 909 146 malaria cases (34 deaths) were reported from across Ethiopia from 1 January 2025 to 28 February 2025.

In the week ending 9 February 2025, 135 032 cases (3 deaths) were reported. Of this total, case numbers were particularly high in 5 regions: Oromia (40%), Amhara (24.7%), South Ethiopia (9%), SWEPRS (7.5%), and B/Gumuz (4.2%). In addition,  transmission was particularly intense in the Gambella region.

Half of these cases were the more severe P. falciparum form of malaria.

Advice for travellers

Malaria is a potentially severe infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.

If you are travelling to Ethiopia, you should:

• understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
• know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites during your trip
• make an appointment with a travel health professional because tablets to prevent malaria are advised for all travellers to Ethiopia, except Addis Ababa where mosquito bites must be avoided at all times.. 

If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or if you have recently returned from a country where malaria is a risk, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.

See the fitfortravel malaria section and Ethiopia country page for further information.