ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Egypt officially malaria-free, a major achievement that the UN agency has described as “truly historic”. The certification is a testament to Egypt’s nearly century-long battle to eradicate the mosquito-borne disease that once plagued the ancient pharaohs.
Commenting on the momentous occasion, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that malaria, which has existed since the dawn of Egyptian civilization, is now a thing of the country’s past.
To achieve malaria-free status, a country must demonstrate no transmission of the disease for three consecutive years. After the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, Egypt became the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region to receive this certification. Globally, 44 countries and one region have been recognized as having eradicated the disease.
In a statement, WHO commended the Egyptian government and people for their continued efforts, saying the country’s journey to eliminate malaria began in the 1920s. These early efforts include banning rice cultivation near residential areas to limit human-mosquito contact.
While Egypt celebrates this milestone, WHO has called for continued vigilance to maintain its malaria-free status, and the importance of ongoing prevention measures.
