Severe disruptions to insecticide treated net campaigns and in access to antimalarial medicines could lead to a doubling in the number of malaria deaths in sub Saharan Africa this year compared to 2018 according to a new modelling analysis released by WHO and partners ahead of World Malaria Day 25 April WHO urges countries to move fast and distribute malaria prevention and treatment tools at this stage of the COVID 19 outbreak in sub Saharan Africa and to do their utmost to safely maintain these essential malaria control services The analysis considers nine scenarios for potential disruptions in access to core malaria control tools during the pandemic in 41 countries and the resulting increases that may be seen in cases and deaths Under the worst case scenario in which all insecticide treated net ITN campaigns are suspended and there is a 75 reduction in access to effective antimalarial medicines the estimated tally of malaria deaths in sub Saharan Africa in 2020 would reach 769 000 twice the number of deaths reported in the region in 2018 This would represent a return to malaria mortality levels last seen 20 years ago According to the World malaria report 2019 sub Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 93 of all malaria cases and 94 of deaths in 2018 More than two thirds of deaths were among children under the age of five A window of opportunity To date the number of reported cases of COVID 19 in sub Saharan Africa has represented only a small proportion of the global total though cases are increasing every week This means that countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimize disruptions in malaria prevention and treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID 19 outbreak Mass vector control campaigns should be accelerated while ensuring that they are deployed in ways that protect health workers and communities against potential COVID 19 transmission WHO and partners commend the leaders of Benin the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sierra Leone and Chad for initiating ITN campaigns during the pandemic Other countries are adapting their net distribution strategies to ensure households receive the nets as quickly and safely as possible Preventive therapies for pregnant women and children must be maintained The provision of prompt diagnostic testing and effective antimalarial medicines are also essential to prevent a mild case of malaria from progressing to severe illness and death WHO and partners have developed guidance to ensure that those suffering from malaria can safely receive the care they need within the package of essential health services to be delivered in COVID 19 settings Tailoring malaria interventions in COVID 19 response includes guidance on the prevention of infection through vector control and chemoprevention testing treatment of cases clinical services supply chain and laboratory activities Note to the editor The modelling analysis was conducted by WHO in close collaboration with partners including PATH the Malaria Atlas Project and the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation The analysis is subject to uncertainties It does not consider for example the effects of an interruption in indoor residual spraying or seasonal malaria chemoprevention except in Burkina Faso a suspension of these core malaria prevention tools would also lead to considerable loss of life In addition there is limited understanding of the spread of COVID 19 its epidemiology and interactions with malaria The model will be updated as such data become available and countries will be provided with relevant information to tailor their responses accordingly