The World Health Organization (WHO) has proclaimed Egypt malaria-free, which is a really historic accomplishment that brings an end to over a century of attempts to eliminate the illness. The dedication of the Egyptian people and administration to eradicate this long-standing disease is demonstrated by this certification.
Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease that is primarily found in tropical nations and is carried by mosquitoes. Over 600,000 people are still killed by it every year, with 95% of those deaths taking place in Africa. Globally, 249 million cases of malaria were reported in 2022.
Egypt started the process of eliminating malaria in the 1920s when it outlawed the growing of rice and other crops close to residential areas in an effort to lessen human-mosquito contact. Despite a surge in occurrences during World War II, Egypt had effectively eradicated malaria by 2001.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, commended Egypt on its accomplishment, saying that although malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization, it now belongs to its past rather than its future. Egypt is now one of 43 nations that have eradicated malaria.
As of right present, 44 nations and one territory have received the certification that they are malaria-free. When a nation demonstrates that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been broken countrywide for at least the last three years, the WHO grants certification.
Additionally, a nation must show that it can stop transmission from resuming. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s health minister, stated that obtaining the certificate of malaria elimination marks the start of a new phase rather than the conclusion of the voyage.
Egypt must now maintain the highest standards for diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance in order to build on its accomplishment. Early attempts to lessen human-mosquito contact in Egypt started in the 1920s, according to the WHO.
Due to population dislocation brought on by World War II, the number of cases in Egypt had increased to over three million by 1942. Because standing water generated mosquito breeding grounds, the Aswan Dam, constructed in the 1960s, increased the danger of malaria.
However, Egypt had effectively eradicated malaria by 2001. More than 25% of all malaria deaths occur in Nigeria each year, more than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique combined.
This year, efforts to prevent the disease through immunization have increased. Egypt’s accomplishment offers optimism in the battle against malaria.
Important details regarding malaria include:
Global Burden: In 2022, there were 249 million cases and 608,000 fatalities from malaria in 85 countries; 94% of cases and 95% of deaths were in the African Region.
80% of malaria deaths in Africa occur in children under the age of five.
Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique have the highest rates of malaria.
According to the WHO, malaria kills over 600,000 people annually, with 95% of those deaths occurring in Africa. In 2022, 249 million cases of malaria were reported globally.
Malaria is primarily present in tropical nations and is spread by mosquitoes. A parasite is the cause of the infection. An important turning point in the worldwide battle against malaria has been reached with Egypt’s accreditation as malaria-free.
https://anchorit.live/signup?id=havivah
ALSO READ:
Oyebanji Is Commended By Fayemi For Bringing Ekiti Together.
