WHO says it has certified Egypt as malaria free

The World Health Organization said on October 20 it had certified Egypt as malaria-free, marking the elimination of a disease that had been present in the country since ancient times, Report informs via The Jerusalem Post.

The WHO grants certification to countries that have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least the previous three consecutive years.

The status has been granted to a total of 44 countries and one territory globally, the WHO said in a statement.