Egypt has achieved a historic milestone by being certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the culmination of nearly a century of efforts to eliminate the disease. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the achievement, stating, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future.”
The certification signifies that Egypt has successfully interrupted the indigenous transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquitoes for at least three consecutive years and can effectively prevent its re-establishment. With this certification, Egypt becomes one of 44 countries and one territory worldwide recognized as malaria-free.
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Malaria remains a significant global health issue, claiming over 600,000 lives annually, with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa. In 2022, there were 249 million reported malaria cases globally. The disease, spread by mosquitoes, is primarily found in tropical regions and is caused by a parasite.
Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that receiving the malaria elimination certificate is just the beginning of a new phase in public health efforts. He called for continued vigilance to sustain the achievement through rigorous surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.
The efforts to combat malaria in Egypt date back to the 1920s, with measures aimed at reducing human-mosquito contact. However, cases surged during World War II, peaking at over three million due to population displacement. The certification marks a significant victory for public health in Egypt, illustrating the dedication of both the government and the people in eradicating this ancient scourge.
