Cape Verde, a beautiful archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, has recently made headlines by becoming the third country in Africa to eradicate malaria. This mosquito-borne disease has been eliminated through the concerted efforts of the country’s population and authorities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized this achievement on December 12, marking a historic milestone for Cape Verde. This island state, home to approximately 500,000 inhabitants, is the first in sub-Saharan Africa to be declared malaria-free in fifty years.
The key to this success lies in the evidence provided by Cape Verde, demonstrating that domestic transmission of the disease by mosquitoes has been interrupted nationally for at least three consecutive years. Over forty other countries have received similar certification, but Cape Verde is the third in Africa, following Algeria in 2019 and Mauritius in 1973.
Unfortunately, malaria remains a major threat in Africa, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of people each year. However, Cape Verde provides an inspiring example, demonstrating that the elimination of this disease is an achievable goal with the right measures in place. The world now looks with hope towards a future without malaria, thanks to Cape Verde’s remarkable efforts.
