Egypt has been declared 'malaria-free' by the WHO, becoming the second country to achieve this status in 2024.
International
On October 20, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Egypt malaria-free, marking a major public health achievement for a country with over 100 million people.
- Egypt is the second country in the world to receive this status in 2024, after Cabo Verde.
- It is the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to be certified malaria-free, following the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco, and the first since 2010.
- A total of 44 countries and 1 territory worldwide have reached this milestone.
Main Points:- (i) The WHO’s certification means Egypt has stopped the local transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquitoes.
(ii) Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free of cost to all residents in Egypt, no matter their legal status.
(iii) The final decision on certification is made by the WHO Director-General, based on recommendations from an independent group called the Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification (TAG-MEC).
About the World Health Organization (WHO)
Director-General: Tedros Adhanom
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
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