Cape Verde Becomes Fourth African Country to Eliminate Malaria
In a significant milestone, Cape Verde, a small archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, has become the fourth country on the continent and the 44th in the world to eliminate malaria. Africa has long been burdened with the highest number of malaria cases globally, accounting for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths recorded on the continent in 2022.
Cape Verde now joins the ranks of Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritius, which were certified malaria-free in 1973, 2010, and 2019 respectively. However, this achievement did not come easily for the island nation. Cape Verde experienced severe malaria epidemics on all ten of its islands, but since the 1980s, the disease has been successfully contained to Santiago and Boa Vista.
The country’s success in eliminating malaria can be attributed to several factors. Cape Verde implemented comprehensive measures, including free treatment and testing for new arrivals as well as systematic surveillance of mosquito breeding sites throughout the year. These efforts not only helped eliminate malaria but also aided in the fight against other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever.
The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Cape Verde for its commitment and resilience in the long and arduous battle against malaria. The director general of WHO expressed hope for a malaria-free world and commended Cape Verde for its significant contribution to global health.
However, while Cape Verde celebrates this achievement, the number of global malaria cases remains alarmingly high. In 2022 alone, the disease claimed the lives of approximately 608,000 individuals, primarily children and pregnant women. To combat this ongoing crisis, the WHO has approved two vaccines, R21/Matrix-M and RTS,S. The latter will be rolled out in 12 African countries over the next two years, providing hope for reducing malaria cases and deaths across the continent.
Cape Verde’s certification as a malaria-free country brings not only a sense of accomplishment but also has a positive impact on its external image. This achievement is expected to benefit the nation’s tourism industry and enhance recognition of Cape Verde’s health system’s remarkable achievements.
As the fight against malaria continues on a global scale, Cape Verde serves as a shining example of success and offers hope to other malaria-burdened countries. The efforts and dedication of the government and healthcare professionals in Cape Verde have paved the way for a healthier future, free from the grips of malaria.
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