SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The disease that plagued the pharaohs is now gone

Egypt is now free from malaria, announces the World Health Organization (WHO). In a press release, the fight to eradicate the disease in the country is described as "a hundred-year effort" and an end to a disease that has existed since "ancient times".

» Published: 29 October 2024

The disease that plagued the pharaohs is now gone
Photo: Amr Nabil/AP/TT

"Malaria is as old as the Egyptian civilization itself, but now the disease that plagued the pharaohs is something that belongs to its past and not its future," says WHO's Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement.

WHO considers a country malaria-free if it demonstrates, beyond reasonable doubt, that indigenous cases of the disease have stopped for three consecutive years.

In the Eastern Mediterranean region, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco have also been declared malaria-free, according to WHO's criteria. Globally, this applies to 44 countries.

Malaria is spread through mosquitoes and can cause fever and headache, and in severe cases, life-threatening symptoms. Children, pregnant women, and HIV-positive individuals are considered special risk groups.

In 2022, malaria caused over 600,000 deaths worldwide, with 95 percent of them in Africa, according to WHO.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

New giant protests against German far-right
1 MIN READ

New giant protests against German far-right

Men fight against female genital mutilation of girls
5 MIN READ

Men fight against female genital mutilation of girls

Zelensky confirms new offensive in Kursk
1 MIN READ

Zelensky confirms new offensive in Kursk

Released Hostage Did Not Know His Family Had Been Killed
1 MIN READ

Released Hostage Did Not Know His Family Had Been Killed

Lebanon has got a new government
1 MIN READ

Lebanon has got a new government

Israel: Has Attacked Hamas Targets in Syria
1 MIN READ

Israel: Has Attacked Hamas Targets in Syria

Visit to Damascus in Pursuit of Syria's Chemical Weapons
1 MIN READ

Visit to Damascus in Pursuit of Syria's Chemical Weapons

Cable Break in the Gulf of Finland – Russian Cable
2 MIN READ

Cable Break in the Gulf of Finland – Russian Cable

The EU's Far-Right Shows Its Muscles in Madrid
1 MIN READ

The EU's Far-Right Shows Its Muscles in Madrid

Reports: Kim and Putin Bet on New Drones
1 MIN READ

Reports: Kim and Putin Bet on New Drones

Top Meeting Calls for Ceasefire in Congo
1 MIN READ

Top Meeting Calls for Ceasefire in Congo

New Israeli anger as hostages were paraded on stage
3 MIN READ

New Israeli anger as hostages were paraded on stage

Judge Blocks Musk's Access to Sensitive Systems
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Musk's Access to Sensitive Systems

So Trump's aid stop hits the most vulnerable
3 MIN READ

So Trump's aid stop hits the most vulnerable

They found 102 poisonous snakes in their compost
1 MIN READ

They found 102 poisonous snakes in their compost

Trudeau: Trump's threat of annexation is real
1 MIN READ

Trudeau: Trump's threat of annexation is real

Missing Plane Found in Alaska – Ten Dead
2 MIN READ

Missing Plane Found in Alaska – Ten Dead

Trump revokes Biden's security clearance
1 MIN READ

Trump revokes Biden's security clearance

USA to Send Bombers Worth Billions to Israel
1 MIN READ

USA to Send Bombers Worth Billions to Israel

Netanyahu proposes Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu proposes Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia