Egypt officially eliminates malaria

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The World Health Organization (WHO) today officially certified Egypt as malaria-free, a monumental achievement for the nation of over 100 million people. This declaration concludes nearly a century of dedicated efforts by the Egyptian government and its citizens to eradicate a disease that has been a part of the country’s history since ancient times.

“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools.”

Egypt becomes the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to be declared malaria-free, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Globally, Egypt is now one of 44 countries and one territory to reach this milestone, with the most recent certification in the region occurring in 2010.

The journey to malaria elimination in Egypt dates back to the early 20th century. As early as the 1920s, the country took measures to reduce human-mosquito contact by prohibiting the cultivation of rice near homes. In 1930, Egypt officially made malaria a notifiable disease and established its first malaria control station, marking the start of coordinated efforts in diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.

Egypt’s elimination of malaria was not without setbacks. During World War II, the country experienced a sharp increase in cases, which climbed to more than three million by 1942 due to population displacement and disruption in medical services. However, Egypt successfully contained the outbreak through a rigorous public health response, which included the establishment of 16 treatment divisions and the recruitment of over 4,000 health workers.

The construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s posed a new challenge, creating standing water that became breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Yet, through extensive vector control programs and collaboration with Sudan, Egypt managed to control the potential outbreak.

Today, Egypt’s health system is credited with providing free-of-charge malaria diagnosis and treatment nationwide, including for cross-border travelers. The country’s strong partnerships with neighboring countries, such as Sudan, have also been crucial in preventing the re-establishment of the disease.

“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase,” said H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister. “We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment, integrated vector management, and sustaining our effective and rapid response to imported cases.”

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the broader significance of Egypt’s achievement. “Today, Egypt has proven that with vision, dedication, and unity, we can overcome the greatest challenges. This success in eliminating malaria is not just a victory for public health but a sign of hope for the entire world, especially for other endemic countries in our region.”