Cape Verde has achieved the feat of being the 44th country in the world and the fourth in Africa to successfully rid itself of malaria.
The continent of Africa has the largest number of cases of the disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. In the year 2022, 94% of the 249 million cases worldwide and 95% of deaths were reported in Africa.
In 2019, 2010, and 1973, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritius were officially declared as countries free from malaria.
In the past, Cape Verde frequently faced severe outbreaks of disease throughout its 10 islands. Yet, starting in the 1980s, malaria has been limited to just two islands, Santiago and Boa Vista, where no cases have been reported since 2017.
On Friday, the World Health Organization announced that the country has taken significant steps towards eradicating disease-carrying mosquitoes. These measures include providing free treatment and testing for all newcomers, as well as regularly monitoring and mapping potential mosquito breeding areas throughout the year. These efforts will continue to aid in the fight against other illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue fever.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, praised the government and citizens of Cape Verde for their persistent dedication and determination in eradicating malaria. He also expressed optimism for a future free of malaria, with the help of existing and upcoming tools such as vaccines. Cape Verde’s achievement serves as a milestone in the global battle against this disease.
The number of global cases of malaria remains significantly higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the disease killed about 608,000 people , mostly children and pregnant women. The WHO estimates that between 2019 and 2021, 63,000 malaria deaths were caused by pandemic disruption of healthcare services.
Two vaccines have been authorized to aid in the fight against the illness. The R21/Matrix-M was suggested for widespread implementation by the WHO in 2020 and the RTS,S vaccine, approved by the organization in 2021, is being distributed to 12 countries in Africa within the next two years.
Cape Verde’s prime minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, stated that achieving certification as a malaria-free country has been a long and significant journey. This recognition has positive effects on the country’s reputation and can benefit tourism as well as its citizens. The progress made in the health system of Cape Verde is being acknowledged and celebrated.
Source: theguardian.com
