Egypt has been officially certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), a milestone described by the UN agency as “truly historic.”

Malaria, which has affected Egypt since ancient times, has now been eradicated thanks to nearly a century of efforts. The country’s first attempts to control the disease began in the 1920s, with measures such as banning rice cultivation and other crops near residential areas to reduce human-mosquito contact.

Certification is granted by the WHO when a country proves no malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years.

Egypt is the third country in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this status, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Globally, 44 countries and one territory have reached this significant milestone.

Despite this achievement, the WHO cautioned that Egypt must remain vigilant to maintain its malaria-free status and prevent the reintroduction of the disease.

Malaria continues to claim over 600,000 lives annually, mostly in Africa, making prevention and ongoing monitoring crucial. While vaccines are available in some regions, the most effective prevention methods include monitoring the disease and minimising mosquito exposure.

This certification marks a new phase for Egypt in sustaining its malaria-free status after decades of battling the mosquito-borne illness.

#MaltaDaily