The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared Egypt malaria-free, a truly historic achievement according to the UN public health agency.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared that malaria, an illness that has existed since the time of Egyptian civilization, is now part of its history.
Nearly a century ago, Egyptian authorities began their initial endeavors to eliminate the lethal infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
To obtain certification, a country must show a continuous interruption of transmission for at least three years. Every year, malaria claims the lives of over 600,000 people, mostly in Africa.
The WHO commended the Egyptian government and people for their efforts to eradicate a disease that has existed in the country for centuries.
Egypt has become the third country in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to be certified, after the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.
This milestone has been achieved by 44 countries and one territory worldwide.
The WHO stated that the certification marked the beginning of a new phase and advised Egypt to be vigilant in order to protect its malaria-free status.
Malaria happens when you get bitten by a mosquito carrying a weird parasite.
Some places are using vaccines now – but the best way to prevent malaria is still to keep an eye on the disease and avoid mosquito bites.
