Despite 44 countries achieving malaria-free status, there were still 249 million cases in 2022.
Egypt has made history by being certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after nearly a century of dedicated efforts. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Egypt’s achievement, stating that the country has successfully eradicated a disease that has been intertwined with its history since ancient times.
Currently, 44 countries and one territory have received malaria-free certification from the WHO, signifying the interruption of indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years at a nationwide level. Malaria, which predominantly affects Africa, claims over 600,000 lives annually, with 95% of the deaths occurring in this region.
Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment standards to prevent the re-emergence of malaria. Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Mozambique are among the top countries with the highest malaria death tolls, prompting intensified efforts towards disease prevention, including vaccination campaigns.