WHO hails country’s ‘truly remarkable’ achievement after no locally transmitted cases of disease for three-and-a-half years
The World
Health Organization has certified that Sri Lanka is a malaria-free nation, in
what it called a truly remarkable achievement.
WHO regional
director Poonam Khetrapal Singh said in a statement that Sri Lanka had been
among the most malaria-affected countries in the mid-20th century.
But, the WHO
said, the country had begun an anti-malaria campaign that successfully targeted
the mosquito-borne parasite that causes the disease, not just mosquitoes.
Health education and effective surveillance also helped the campaign.
“Sri Lanka’s achievement is truly remarkable,”
the WHO statement said. “The change in strategy was unorthodox, but highly
effective. Mobile malaria clinics in high-transmission areas meant that prompt
and effective treatment could reduce the parasite reservoir and the possibility
of further transmission.”
It said no
locally transmitted cases of malaria had been recorded in the country for
three-and-a-half years.
To prevent
parasites re-entering the country, the anti-malaria campaign is working with
local and international partners to maintain surveillance and screening, it
said.
How it happened
How it happened
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