Malaria, a disease that has plagued Egypt for millennia, has officially been eliminated from the country, marking a significant public health achievement. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief, declared, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization, but it no longer exists in the country.” This milestone places Egypt among a select group of nations that have successfully eradicated the disease.

Egypt’s efforts to combat malaria began nearly 100 years ago, with a sustained and multifaceted approach to reduce local transmission. To be officially declared malaria-free, a country must show that there has been no local transmission for at least three consecutive years. This achievement was reached after decades of work, and Egypt now joins 43 other countries and territories worldwide that have succeeded in eliminating the disease. The country is the third in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this feat, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.
Malaria continues to be a major global health threat, with over 600,000 deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Egypt’s success highlights the potential for eliminating the disease through effective public health policies, surveillance, and treatment strategies. While vaccines are being increasingly used in malaria-affected regions, prevention still relies heavily on minimizing mosquito bites and monitoring outbreaks effectively.
The WHO has lauded Egypt’s long-term commitment to malaria control, particularly its early efforts starting in the 1920s to target mosquito breeding sites, such as rice paddies, which provide a conducive environment for mosquito larvae. These interventions, combined with widespread health campaigns, insecticide-treated bed nets, and access to effective treatments, have played a crucial role in reducing malaria transmission.
Despite the milestone, the WHO has cautioned that Egypt must remain vigilant to prevent the reintroduction of malaria. Maintaining surveillance, ensuring adequate healthcare infrastructure, and addressing environmental factors are critical to safeguarding Egypt’s malaria-free status.
As Egypt celebrates this victory in the fight against malaria, the nation stands as an example of the effectiveness of sustained public health efforts, providing hope for other countries striving to eliminate the disease in the future.
