Medical experts in Nigeria are emphasizing the importance of proper diagnosis as more fever cases are found not to be caused by malaria parasites.
While malaria remains life-threatening, decades of misdiagnosis led to the misconception that all fevers indicate malaria.
According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria accounts for roughly 27% of global malaria cases and 32% of malaria deaths.
In 2023 alone, over 68 million Nigerians were diagnosed with malaria, with more than 200,000 fatalities, many among children under five and pregnant women.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, noted that data shows 95 out of 100 fevers in Lagos are unrelated to malaria.
“We must shift the mindset of healthcare providers to understand that not every fever is malaria,” he said at the Pathway to Pre-Elimination and Digitization Project in 2025.
Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu, Strategic Adviser on Malaria Elimination, explained that fever is simply a rise in body temperature and can result from infections, chronic diseases, malignancies, or drug reactions.
“The rise in malaria-negative fever cases is largely due to increased diagnostic testing,” he added.
Dr. Toyosi Raheem, former National President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, explained that fever may appear unrelated to malaria if parasite levels are too low to detect at the time of testing.
He emphasized that bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other parasites can all cause fever, and identifying the source is crucial for effective treatment.
Experts strongly recommend that every fever be tested before treatment. Starting anti-malarial therapy without confirmation is risky, as only a small fraction of fevers are malaria-related.
Completing treatment when malaria is confirmed and following preventive measures—like mosquito nets and environmental sanitation—remains essential.
With proper testing and awareness, Nigerians can avoid unnecessary medication, focus on the actual causes of fever, and reduce preventable health risks.
