Cape Verde Achieves Historic Milestone First African Country in 50 Years to Eradicate Malaria

 First African Country in 50 Years to Eradicate Malaria

In a significant milestone, Cape Verde has become the first sub-Saharan African country to eliminate malaria in the last 50 years. Remarkably, the nation has achieved three consecutive years without a single case of malaria transmission.

Malaria remains a leading cause of global fatalities, claiming a significant number of lives annually. The success in Cape Verde can be attributed to the effective control of the complex interplay between various parasites and mosquitoes, particularly due to the geographical advantage of being a nation of islands.

A crucial component of Cape Verde's strategy in controlling parasite spread is offering free access to malaria diagnoses for all international travelers and migrants. The implementation of active mosquito control measures and an overall improvement in testing and treatment standards have also contributed to this remarkable achievement.

Dr. Filomena Gonçalves, Cape Verde's Health Minister, expressed gratitude to the numerous health professionals, collaborators, communities, and international partners whose hard work and dedication made this success possible. She emphasized that collective commitment to improving public health has played a pivotal role in this accomplishment.

Cape Verde joins the ranks of Mauritius, another island nation in African seas, which last eliminated malaria in 1973. The unique advantage of islands and oceans has proven beneficial in preventing the resurgence of the disease.

In a related success story, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in the Asian and Pacific tropics has received recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for successfully eradicating the neglected tropical disease lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis. This parasitic disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes severe disability, pain, and social stigmatization.

Lao PDR becomes the 18th country in the region to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, showcasing that determined efforts can yield success even in low-income countries. The country had previously eliminated trachoma as a public health problem in 2017, marking its second achievement in eradicating neglected tropical diseases.

The elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Lao PDR involved providing preventive medication to at-risk communities from 2012 to 2017. Additionally, efforts to reduce malaria and dengue, including the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and health education campaigns, contributed to the overall success.

Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, the Health Minister for Lao PDR, acknowledged the collective efforts of dedicated health workers and expressed gratitude for the support from WHO and various partners that made this achievement possible.

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