WHO certifies Egypt as malaria-free; calls it ‘historic feat’ ending ancient scourge

An Anopheles stephensi mosquito obtains a blood meal from a human host through its pointed proboscis in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters November 23, 2015. A known malarial vector, the species can found from Egypt all the way to China. File
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Egypt achieved a historic milestone by being certified as malaria-free on Sunday, October 20, 2024, with the World Health Organization praising the accomplishment as the result of nearly a century of dedicated efforts to eradicate the disease.

“Malaria has long been intertwined with Egyptian civilization, but the disease that once afflicted pharaohs is now a thing of the past,” stated WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The certification of Egypt as malaria-free is a significant achievement and a reflection of the unwavering commitment of the Egyptian people and government to eliminate this ancient scourge.”

Currently, a total of 44 countries and one territory have been officially recognized as malaria-free.

WHO grants certification to countries that have successfully interrupted indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes nationwide for at least three consecutive years. Additionally, the country must demonstrate the ability to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.

According to WHO, malaria claims over 600,000 lives annually, with 95% of the deaths occurring in Africa. In 2022, there were 249 million reported cases of malaria worldwide.

Malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is predominantly found in tropical regions and is caused by a parasite.

“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase,” stated Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. “We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.”

The WHO highlighted that efforts to reduce human-mosquito contact in Egypt date back to the 1920s when the cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes was prohibited. Despite a surge in cases to over three million in 1942 due to population displacement during World War II, Egypt effectively controlled malaria by 2001.

Nigeria leads in malaria-related deaths annually, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique.