On Sunday, Egypt received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) as malaria-free, marking a significant milestone in public health and nearly a century of efforts to eradicate the disease.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the achievement as “truly historic,” emphasizing that malaria, which has plagued Egypt since ancient times, is now relegated to history.
“This certification is a testament to the determination of the Egyptian people and government to eliminate this ancient scourge,” Tedros noted in his statement. With Egypt’s certification, the global count of malaria-free nations now stands at 44, along with one territory.
The WHO grants this certification when a country demonstrates that indigenous malaria transmission via Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least three consecutive years. Additionally, the nation must prove it can prevent any resurgence of the disease.
Malaria remains a significant global health threat, responsible for over 600,000 deaths annually, predominantly in Africa.
In 2022, there were approximately 249 million reported cases worldwide. The disease, caused by a parasite and transmitted by mosquitoes, is primarily found in tropical regions.
Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that this certification is not an endpoint but a new beginning.
“We must work tirelessly to maintain our achievement through rigorous surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment,” he stated.
Efforts to combat malaria in Egypt date back to the 1920s, including the banning of rice cultivation near homes to reduce mosquito exposure. Despite a spike in cases during World War II, by 2001, Egypt had successfully brought malaria under control.
However, challenges like the Aswan Dam, which created new mosquito breeding grounds, highlighted the ongoing battle against the disease. Today, Nigeria remains the country with the highest malaria mortality rate, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique.
