CAIRO, Egypt – Egypt has officially been declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant public health achievement for the nation where the disease has persisted since ancient times.
The announcement, made on Sunday, recognizes Egypt’s success in eliminating local transmission of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that has historically afflicted millions across the globe.
The WHO grants malaria-free certification to countries that have demonstrated the complete interruption of indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years.
Egypt now joins an exclusive list of 44 countries and one territory that have met this rigorous standard.
The certification process involves stringent verification by the WHO, ensuring that the chain of malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been permanently broken, with no risk of resurgence in local populations.
The recognition highlights Egypt’s public health advancements and sustained efforts in disease prevention, surveillance, and control.
“Malaria elimination requires sustained political commitment, scientific expertise, and strong health systems,” the WHO stated. “Egypt’s achievement sets an example for other countries still battling the disease.”
Once endemic in Egypt, malaria posed a significant health challenge for centuries, with evidence of its presence dating back to pharaonic times.
However, coordinated eradication efforts, improved access to healthcare, and effective vector control strategies have now led to the disease’s elimination from the country.
Egypt’s malaria-free certification adds to the growing momentum in global malaria eradication efforts, with the WHO working closely with nations in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death.
The announcement, made on Sunday, recognizes Egypt’s success in eliminating local transmission of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that has historically afflicted millions across the globe.
The WHO grants malaria-free certification to countries that have demonstrated the complete interruption of indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years.
Egypt now joins an exclusive list of 44 countries and one territory that have met this rigorous standard.
The certification process involves stringent verification by the WHO, ensuring that the chain of malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been permanently broken, with no risk of resurgence in local populations.
The recognition highlights Egypt’s public health advancements and sustained efforts in disease prevention, surveillance, and control.
“Malaria elimination requires sustained political commitment, scientific expertise, and strong health systems,” the WHO stated. “Egypt’s achievement sets an example for other countries still battling the disease.”
Once endemic in Egypt, malaria posed a significant health challenge for centuries, with evidence of its presence dating back to pharaonic times.
However, coordinated eradication efforts, improved access to healthcare, and effective vector control strategies have now led to the disease’s elimination from the country.
Egypt’s malaria-free certification adds to the growing momentum in global malaria eradication efforts, with the WHO working closely with nations in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death.
