Significant Health Triumph, Achieving Malaria-Free Status

- The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared Cabo Verde as a malaria-free nation. This health achievement has placed Cabo Verde alongside Mauritius and Algeria as the third country in the WHO African region to earn this recognition.

Gaining the Malaria-Free Certification

- To be certified malaria-free by WHO, the country has to demonstrate an interruption of malaria transmission nationwide for three consecutive years at least.

- Additionally, they must employ a robust surveillance and response system to avoid the re-establishment of malaria's indigenous transmission.

Global Scenario and Key Facts on Malaria-Free Certification

- Globally, 43 countries and one territory have been officially recognized as malaria-free by WHO, with Cabo Verde being the latest addition.

- Some prominent countries in the South East Asian region such as the Maldives (2015) and Sri Lanka (2016) had earlier accomplished this distinction.

- It's noteworthy that India is yet to receive this certification.

Understanding Malaria

- Malaria, a dangerous mosquito-borne blood disease, is primarily caused by Plasmodium parasites.

- Out of five species affecting humans, P.falciparum and P.vivax pose the major threat.

- This disease is prevalent predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, South America, and Asia.

Malaria Transmission and Symptoms

- Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito which becomes a carrier after biting an infected individual.

- The pathogen then gets transmitted to the bloodstream of the next person the mosquito bites.

- Symptoms of this disease comprise fever, flu-like illness, shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.

- Although malaria is harmful, it is preventable and curable.

About WHO (World Health Organization)

- The World Health Organization, established in 1948, is the United Nations' specialised agency responsible for health.

- Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it is an intergovernmental organisation with 194 Member States, 150 country offices, and six regional offices.

- WHO leads in global health issues, forming the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, advocating evidence-based policies, and offering technical assistance to countries.

- WHO started operating on April 7, 1948, which is now commemorated annually as World Health Day.