WHO declares Egypt malaria-free

Egypt has officially been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), an achievement hailed as "truly historic" and "an inspiration to other countries," according to multiple news reports.

“Malaria is as ancient as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that once afflicted the pharaohs is now part of Egypt’s history,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease, is spread through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. WHO awards malaria-free certification when a country can conclusively demonstrate that indigenous malaria transmission by these mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least three consecutive years. In addition, the country must prove it can prevent the disease from re-emerging.

The WHO says Egypt is now the third nation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to earn this certification, joining Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. Globally, 44 countries and one territory have reached this important milestone.

Despite this success, malaria remains a significant global challenge, claiming approximately 600,000 lives each year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria has been a part of Egypt’s history for thousands of years, with evidence of the disease even found in the mummified remains of ancient Egyptian figures, including King Tutankhamun. Egypt’s efforts to eradicate malaria date back nearly a century, including measures like restricting rice cultivation near homes, as mosquitoes tend to breed in stagnant water.

While Egypt has much to celebrate, the WHO cautions that this marks only the "beginning of a new phase." The organization urges Egypt to remain vigilant in maintaining its malaria-free status.