On the 20th of October, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified that Egypt was malaria-free, marking the culmination of nearly a century of combined efforts to eradicate this disease. Historically, malaria has been a significant health issue in Egypt, with evidence of malaria being found in ancient Egyptian mummies with rates as high as 40% in the mid-20th century.
Efforts to control the disease began as far back as 1920 but were greatly hindered by the construction of new dams and hydraulic structures, such as the Aswan Dam in 1969, which created new breeding grounds for mosquitoes and subsequently led to spikes in malaria cases. The extensive efforts from the government and Egyptian health services greatly contributed to the complete erasure of malaria. The government implemented and maintained malaria control and elimination strategies such as insecticide-treated bed nets, lasting indoor spraying, rapid diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases, and extensive public health campaigns. For the general population, the elimination of malaria translates to improved health outcomes and a large reduction in malaria-related illnesses and deaths. Additionally, the lack of the disease will likely boost Egypt’s tourism industry, as tourists can visit the country with limited health risks associated with malaria. This is expected to boost the local economy, granting a greater budget to be invested in the preservation of historical sites and monuments.
International response to the certification has been overwhelmingly positive. The WHO has eulogized Egypt’s dedication and perseverance in eradicating malaria. In an interview with the WHO, H.E. Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt, emphasized the significance of maintaining health measures to maintain the malaria-free status: “I reaffirm that we will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the wise leadership’s guidance and proceed with enhancing our healthcare system; this will remain a cornerstone in protecting the lives of all people living in and visiting Egypt.”
Thus, Egypt’s malaria-free certification marks a historic achievement in public health and safety and additionally serves as a precedent and exemplar for the eradication of plaguing diseases globally.