The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Egypt "malaria-free" Sunday, stating that the achievement marks the end of a "nearly 100-year effort by the Egyptian government and people."
Egypt is now one of 44 countries and one territory around the world to have reached this milestone — the third in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the first since 2010.
The world is on a positive path toward eradicating malaria — from billions of cases prevented to millions of lives saved. While there's still more work for governments to accomplish, including preventive strategies like vaccines, mosquito sprays, and bed nets, as well as other treatments, we are for the first time in a strong position to end rather than merely control this disease.
The fight against malaria is far from over. Cases have stagnated since 2015 and are rising in parts of Africa as mosquitoes develop resistance to nets and sprays. Low-income countries lack resources for prevention, while vaccines face distribution challenges. Without sustained global commitment and ever-evolving tools, even our modest gains could be lost.