Cape Verde, a sub-Saharan African nation, has successfully been declared malaria-free after 50 years, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the deadly disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) awarded Cape Verde with this status due to its remarkable feat of not reporting any cases of local transmission for three consecutive years. This achievement is an important step in reducing malaria-related fatalities which predominantly occur in Africa, with 95% of global deaths in 2022. Malaria is caused by a complex parasite transmitted through mosquito bites. While vaccines have been introduced in some regions, the most effective prevention measures remain disease monitoring and mosquito bite avoidance.
Cape Verde, a small archipelago off the coast of West Africa, has spent years strengthening its healthcare infrastructure and improving access to diagnosis and treatment for all malaria cases. Through enhanced surveillance and mosquito control methods, the country successfully detected cases early and controlled the transmission of the disease. Additionally, Cape Verde aimed to prevent imported cases by providing free care and diagnostic services to international travelers and migrants. Health Minister Dr Filomena Gonçalves expressed gratitude for the collective commitment demonstrated by health professionals, collaborators, communities, and international partners in achieving this monumental success.
The significance of Cape Verde’s accomplishment expands beyond its borders. The nation’s experience serves as an inspiration for other small countries in Africa, showcasing that comprehensive containment and elimination strategies can yield positive outcomes. While Cape Verde previously had malaria cases across all of its nine inhabited islands, the final efforts focused on Sào Tiago, where the disease persisted. The island nature of Cape Verde facilitated mapping and tracking the spread of malaria, unlike countries with continuous land masses where highly mobile populations pose challenges for eradication. Nigeria, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo face these difficulties, with populations frequently crossing borders.
The WHO’s regional office in Africa, represented by Dr Dorothy Achu Fosah, expressed excitement and satisfaction with Cape Verde’s accomplishment. This success aligns with the WHO’s vision of eliminating malaria globally and demonstrates the potential of existing tools, including vaccines, in achieving a malaria-free world. The last sub-Saharan African country to achieve malaria-free status was Mauritius in 1973, followed by Algeria in North Africa in 2019.
The battle against malaria also receives a boost from recent medical developments. A chance discovery and the development of a malaria vaccine have significantly advanced efforts to combat the disease, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children. These breakthroughs offer hope for reducing malaria-related deaths and strengthening global malaria control initiatives.
Cape Verde’s success story should inspire further investment and support for malaria prevention and control measures in other countries. Collaboration among nations, researchers, and healthcare professionals is critical in realizing the dream of a malaria-free future for all. By emulating Cape Verde’s steadfast commitment to public health improvement, we can collectively overcome the challenges posed by malaria and pave the way towards a healthier and more prosperous world.
