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Peer-reviewedCC BYMalaria journal

The invisible malaria epidemic in Somalia: why molecular surveillance can no longer wait.

  • Mohamed Mahdi Hashi1
  • Abdisamad Abdihakim Aadam2,3,4
  • Abdishakur Ahmed Mahad2,3,4
  • Abdimalik Dahir Ali2,3,4
  • Ilyas Abdullahi Khalif2,3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Faculty of Health Sciences and Tropical Medicine , Somali National University , Mogadishu, Somalia. [email protected].
  2. 2Faculty of Health Sciences and Tropical Medicine , Somali National University , Mogadishu, Somalia.
  3. 3Benaadir Research, Consultancy & Evaluation Center , Mogadishu, Somalia.
  4. 4Center for Health Research and Innovation , Somali National University , Mogadishu, Somalia.
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Abstract

Malaria remains a hidden public health challenge in Somalia, where weak surveillance systems and reliance on conventional diagnostics may underestimate transmission and disease complexity. The absence of molecular surveillance limits understanding of parasite diversity, drug resistance, and emerging transmission patterns. In the context of climate change, displacement, and fragile health systems, Somalia urgently needs genomic approaches integrated into malaria surveillance. Molecular surveillance can provide critical evidence to strengthen early detection, targeted interventions, and elimination strategies. Establishing these capacities now is essential to prevent an invisible malaria epidemic from becoming an uncontrolled public health crisis.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{hashi2026invisible,
  title = {{The invisible malaria epidemic in Somalia: why molecular surveillance can no longer wait.}},
  author = {Mohamed Mahdi Hashi and Abdisamad Abdihakim Aadam and Abdishakur Ahmed Mahad and Abdimalik Dahir Ali and Ilyas Abdullahi Khalif},
  journal = {Malaria journal},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1186/s12936-026-06219-x},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009999},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The invisible malaria epidemic in Somalia: why molecular surveillance can no longer wait.
AU  - Mohamed Mahdi Hashi
AU  - Abdisamad Abdihakim Aadam
AU  - Abdishakur Ahmed Mahad
AU  - Abdimalik Dahir Ali
AU  - Ilyas Abdullahi Khalif
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/10
JO  - Malaria journal
DO  - 10.1186/s12936-026-06219-x
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009999
AB  - Malaria remains a hidden public health challenge in Somalia, where weak surveillance systems and reliance on conventional diagnostics may underestimate transmission and disease complexity. The absence of molecular surveillance limits understanding of parasite diversity, drug resistance, and emerging transmission patterns. In the context of climate change, displacement, and fragile health systems, Somalia urgently needs genomic approaches integrated into malaria surveillance. Molecular surveillance can provide critical evidence to strengthen early detection, targeted interventions, and elimination strategies. Establishing these capacities now is essential to prevent an invisible malaria epidemic from becoming an uncontrolled public health crisis.
SN  - 1475-2875
ER  -