Egypt Achieves Malaria-Free Status After a Century of Efforts

Egypt has been officially recognized as malaria-free by the World Health Organization, a milestone after nearly 100 years of dedicated efforts, highlighting the importance of sustained public health strategies and vigilance against potential disease resurgence.

Egypt has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), a landmark achievement the UN public health agency has described as "truly historic." WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, remarked on the long-standing presence of malaria in Egyptian history, asserting, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history."

The extensive efforts by Egyptian authorities to eliminate the mosquito-borne disease began nearly a century ago, with the first initiatives launched in the 1920s. To receive the certification, a nation must prove an interruption in malaria transmission for a minimum of three consecutive years. The WHO confirmed that Egypt had successfully met these criteria, making it the third country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, to achieve this status. On a global scale, 44 countries and one territory have reached such a laudable milestone.

However, the WHO emphasized that this certification is just the commencement of a new phase. It urged Egypt to remain vigilant to maintain its malaria-free status, as the disease poses ongoing challenges, particularly in regions of Africa where it claims around 600,000 lives annually. Despite the introduction of vaccines in some regions, the WHO noted that preventing mosquito bites and constant monitoring remain the most effective strategies against malaria.

The announcement has been met with commendation for both the Egyptian government and its people for their relentless efforts over the years to eliminate a condition that has long plagued the population. As Egypt celebrates this success, the international community's focus shifts to ensuring sustainable public health measures are intact to safeguard against any potential resurgence of malaria.