Egypt declared malaria-free by WHO

Egypt has officially been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the culmination of nearly a century of determined efforts to eradicate the deadly mosquito-borne disease.

The WHO lauded the achievement as “truly historic,” noting that malaria, which had plagued Egypt since the time of the pharaohs, now belongs to the country’s past.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the significance of Egypt’s victory over malaria, stating, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history.”

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Efforts to control malaria in Egypt began in the 1920s, when authorities introduced measures to limit human contact with mosquitoes, such as banning rice cultivation and certain crops near homes. These early interventions laid the groundwork for the eventual elimination of the disease.

Egypt is the third country in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive malaria-free certification, joining the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. The certification requires a country to demonstrate at least three consecutive years without any local transmission of the disease and maintain systems to prevent its resurgence.

Malaria remains a significant global health threat, killing more than 600,000 people each year, predominantly in Africa. Egypt’s success is a reminder of the potential for public health victories when sustained efforts and effective strategies are put into place.

While celebrating this achievement, WHO emphasized that Egypt must remain vigilant to maintain its malaria-free status, ensuring that transmission is not re-established.

Vaccines and prevention strategies, including monitoring and avoiding mosquito bites, continue to be key in the global fight against malaria.