Abstract:
Malaria is a major public health problem in Ethiopia despite relatively low malaria prevalence compared
to most other malaria-endemic countries in Africa. Unstable malaria transmission patterns make Ethiopia
prone to focal and multifocal epidemics that have on occasion caused catastrophic public health
emergencies. Malaria is seasonal in most parts of Ethiopia, with variable transmission and prevalence
patterns affected by the large diversity in altitude, rainfall, and population movement. Generally, areas
located less than 2,000 meters above sea level (<2,000m) in altitude are considered malarious areas. The
massive scale-up of malaria control interventions, including case diagnosis and treatment, distribution of
long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), and indoor residual spraying of households with insecticides (IRS)
have preferentially targeted these areas in Ethiopia.
