WHO declares Algeria, Argentina malaria-free

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Algeria and Argentina have officially eliminated malaria, a mosquito-borne disease responsible for killing thousands of people globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday.

More than 219 million cases of the disease from 87 countries were reported in 2017, killing over 40,000 people. Nearly half of the deceased were children under the age of five.

To be certified for the malaria-free status, a country should have no cases of the mosquito-borne disease for three consecutive years. The last cases of malaria reported in Algeria and Argentina were in 2013 and 2010 respectively.

"Algeria and Argentina have eliminated malaria, thanks to the unwavering commitment and perseverance of the people and leaders of both countries," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Their success serves as a model for other countries working to end this disease once and for all," he added.

With both countries successfully eliminating the disease, the number of malaria-free countries and territories shrinks to 38.

Having battled with the diseases for over a century, Algeria and Argentina initiated a series of health reforms.

"Both countries provided free diagnosis and treatment within their borders, ensuring no one was left behind in getting the services they needed to prevent, detect and cure the disease," the WHO statement said.

Around four decades ago, malaria emerged as a significant primary health challenge in Algeria, with an estimated 80,000 cases reported each year.

"Algeria is where the malaria parasite was first discovered in humans almost a century and a half ago, and that was a significant milestone in responding to the disease," said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, regional director of WHO Africa.

"Now, Algeria has shown the rest of Africa that malaria can be beaten through country leadership, bold action, sound investment and science."

Argentina worked closely with the government of Bolivia to spray more than 22,000 homes in border areas and conduct widespread malaria testing.

"I am sure that Argentina will serve as an inspiration and as an example for other countries of the Americas to achieve the elimination of malaria in the coming years," Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization said.

Algeria is the second country in the WHO African Region to be officially recognized as malaria-free, after Mauritius, which was certified in 1973.

Argentina is also the second country in the WHO Region of the Americas to be certified malaria-free in the last 45 years, after Paraguay in June 2018.

The certificates will be presented by the WHO director-general to representatives from Algeria and Argentina on the sidelines of the ongoing 72nd session of the World Health Assembly.

(Top image: A poster in the vernacular Chichewa language explaining causes and prevention about malaria at Mitundu Community hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, April 23, 2019. /VCG Photo)