A unique dataset on asymptomatic malaria in Benin

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Benin, as in many sub-Saharan African countries. Beyond the visible cases that lead to fever and hospitalisation, there are so-called asymptomatic infections: the parasite is present in the body but without causing symptoms. These “silent carriers” are hard to detect, yet they play a major role in transmission and make it harder to eliminate the disease. Studying them is therefore crucial to better understand how malaria spreads and to develop more effective strategies to fight it.

This is precisely the focus of the newly released dataset published by a team of researchers from the French National Research Institute for Development (IRD). Conducted between 2019 and 2024 in southern Benin, this rare longitudinal study tracks the evolution of asymptomatic infections across different age groups and over time. The dataset is a valuable open resource for researchers, policymakers, and public health actors. It will help refine malaria control strategies and bring us closer to the ultimate goal: eliminating the disease for good.