WHO Certifies Egypt As Malaria-Free

Egypt was declared malaria-free on Sunday by the World Health Organization (WHO). This signifies the eradication of a disease that has been in the nation since ancient times. Egypt's accomplishment was praised by the UN public health agency as "truly historic."

After Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, Egypt is the third nation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to be certified as malaria-free. Globally, a total of 44 countries have reached this milestone. "Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement. "I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region, and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools,” the Director-General added.

Great news: #Egypt is malaria-free!

This certification is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge.

I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 21, 2024

According to the health agency, the certification of malaria elimination is granted when a country has proven that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years. The country is also required to demonstrate the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission. WHO says that malaria kills more than 600,000 people every year, and 95% of them are in Africa.