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

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.