In a landmark achievement, Egypt has been declared malaria-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), marking the end of a century-long fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases. This certification from the UN public health agency is a significant moment not only for Egypt but for Africa and the global health community.
Malaria, a disease spread by mosquito bites and caused by a complex parasite, has been a scourge in Egypt for thousands of years. From the days of the ancient Pharaohs to the modern era, Egyptians have battled this deadly illness. Today, however, the disease that once plagued the mighty Egyptian civilization is no more.
“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But the disease that plagued Pharaohs now belongs to its history.”
This certification by the WHO follows almost 100 years of effort by Egyptian authorities. Their first campaigns to combat malaria began in the 1920s, with a focus on reducing human contact with mosquitoes, particularly by controlling agricultural practices near homes.
The journey to eliminate malaria in Egypt was not an easy one. It took decades of strategic planning, government commitment, and public cooperation to achieve this remarkable victory. The WHO certification process requires a country to prove that there has been no local transmission of the disease for at least three consecutive years.
Egypt’s success story began almost a century ago when the authorities first banned rice cultivation near homes to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. This was one of the earliest measures taken to reduce human-mosquito contact. Over the years, further steps were taken to monitor and control the disease.
According to WHO, Egypt is now the third country in its Eastern Mediterranean Region to be certified malaria-free, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. This is a huge step forward, especially in a region that has historically faced significant challenges in controlling vector-borne diseases.
Globally, 44 countries and one territory have achieved malaria-free certification. Egypt’s accomplishment is a beacon of hope for other African nations still battling the disease.
Malaria remains a major health issue across much of Africa. The disease kills at least 600,000 people every year, with the vast majority of deaths occurring on the continent. In some African countries, malaria is still one of the leading causes of death, especially among children under five and pregnant women.
The fight against malaria in Africa is complicated by various factors, including poverty, inadequate healthcare systems, and the development of resistance to key antimalarial drugs. The rise of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes has also posed a significant challenge to efforts aimed at reducing the disease’s spread.
Recently, efforts to control malaria have been bolstered by the introduction of vaccines in some regions. However, experts warn that vaccines alone are not enough. Avoiding mosquito bites through the use of bed nets, insect repellents, and environmental control measures, such as eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, remains crucial.
“While vaccines represent a breakthrough, they are not a magic bullet,” said a health expert. “Continued vigilance and sustained efforts are necessary to keep malaria under control.”
The World Health Organization has hailed Egypt’s malaria-free status as “historic,” but the agency also issued a strong warning. Maintaining this status will require ongoing efforts to prevent the re-establishment of the disease. The WHO has stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and vector control strategies to ensure that malaria does not return to Egypt.
“This certification is the beginning of a new phase,” the WHO said in a statement. “Egypt must remain vigilant to preserve its malaria-free status.”
For Egypt, achieving this milestone represents not just the end of a long struggle but also a new chapter in its public health efforts. The country will need to ensure that its surveillance systems remain robust and that the risk of malaria resurgence is kept at bay.
Egypt’s success in eradicating malaria offers valuable lessons for other African nations still grappling with the disease. Countries such as Nigeria, where malaria remains a leading cause of death, could look to Egypt’s experience for inspiration and guidance.
Egypt’s fight against malaria demonstrates the importance of strong government leadership, targeted interventions, and community involvement. By banning rice cultivation near homes in the 1920s, Egypt took one of the first steps toward reducing the presence of mosquitoes. This decision showed how policy changes at the local level can have far-reaching impacts.
For other African countries, similar measures may help curb the spread of malaria. In Nigeria, for example, there is an ongoing effort to reduce the incidence of malaria through widespread use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying of insecticides. These efforts, combined with new technologies and vaccines, offer hope that malaria can eventually be brought under control across the continent.
