Cape Verde becomes third African country declared free of malaria
Cape Verde has become the third country in Africa to be declared free of malaria.
The archipelago nation, located off the western coast of Africa, was awarded the status by the World Health Organization (WHO) after no cases of local transmission were reported in the past three years.
Cape Verde joins Mauritius and Algeria in being malaria-free, which were certified in 1973 and 2019, respectively.
The continent carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, with 95 per cent of global cases and 96 per cent of related deaths occurring in Africa in 2021.
Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasites, and is spread via mosquitoes.
Tourism boost hopes
Cape Verde has grappled with malaria for decades. An outbreak in 2017 caused officials to strengthen surveillance, especially at ports, airports, and the capital city.
To stem the tide of imported cases from mainland Africa, diagnoses and treatment were provided free of charge to international travellers and migrants.
It’s hoped the elimination of malaria is expected to boost tourism in Cape Verde, which currently accounts for 25 per cent of the country’s GDP.
“The certification as a malaria-free country has a huge impact, and it’s taken a long time to get to this point,” said the Capo Verde´s Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva.
“In terms of the country’s external image, this is very good, both for tourism and for everyone else. The challenge that [Cape Verde] has overcome in the health system is being recognised.”
Dr Tedros Adhanm Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, said the nation’s “success is the latest in the global fight against malaria, and gives us hope that with existing tools, as well as new ones including vaccines, we can dare to dream of a malaria-free world.”
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