Georgia: Malaria-free certification ‘a huge milestone worth marking’
Georgia has been certified as being free of malaria following 14 years of hard work, partnership and investment, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 11 January 2025.
Certification is granted when a country has reported zero indigenous cases of malaria for at least 3 consecutive years. Georgia last reported a locally transmitted case of malaria in 2011, and WHO experts have spent the past 3 years verifying that the country has met all the criteria for certification.
“This is a huge milestone worth marking,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people of Georgia, and to the power of partnership and investment in malaria control.”
Georgia becomes the fifth country in the WHO European Region to be certified as malaria-free, after Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The country has made significant progress in recent years in strengthening its health system and implementing effective malaria control measures.
“This achievement is a result of the unwavering commitment of the Georgian government and its partners to eliminate malaria,” said Dr Zurab Azarashvili, Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia. “We are grateful for the support of WHO and other partners, and we will continue to work hard to maintain our malaria-free status.”
WHO will continue to work with Georgia to support the country’s efforts to prevent the re-establishment of malaria and to ensure that the country remains malaria-free.
Background
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that can be fatal if not treated promptly. The disease is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite between dusk and dawn. Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, sweating, headaches, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
Malaria is a major public health problem in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa. In 2022, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide, and 627 000 deaths.
Georgia is located in the Caucasus region of Eastern Europe. The country has a population of approximately 3.7 million people. Malaria was once a major public health problem in Georgia, with an estimated 10 000 cases reported each year in the 1990s. However, the country has made significant progress in recent years in reducing the number of malaria cases.
WHO malaria certification process
WHO certification of malaria elimination is a rigorous process that involves a detailed assessment of a country’s malaria control programme. The assessment includes a review of the country’s health system, surveillance system, vector control measures, case management protocols and laboratory capacity.
To be certified as malaria-free, a country must meet the following criteria:
- No indigenous cases of malaria reported for at least 3 consecutive years
- An effective malaria surveillance system in place
- A strong health system capable of detecting and responding to malaria cases
- Effective vector control measures in place
- Adequate laboratory capacity for malaria diagnosis and confirmation
- A plan in place to prevent the re-establishment of malaria
Georgia’s malaria control programme
Georgia’s malaria control programme has been supported by WHO and other partners for many years. The programme has focused on strengthening the health system, implementing effective vector control measures, and improving case management.
Key components of Georgia’s malaria control programme include:
- Early detection and treatment of malaria cases
- Mass distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets
- Indoor residual spraying
- Larval source management
- Health education campaigns
Impact of malaria certification
Malaria certification has a number of benefits for Georgia, including:
- Reduced morbidity and mortality from malaria
- Improved health outcomes for the population
- Increased economic productivity
- Improved tourism and investment
- Reduced burden on the health system
Conclusion
Georgia’s certification as malaria-free is a major achievement for the country and for the WHO European Region. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people of Georgia, and to the power of partnership and investment in malaria control.
WHO will continue to work with Georgia to support the country’s efforts to prevent the re-establishment of malaria and to ensure that the country remains malaria-free.
Georgia: Malaria-free certification ‘a huge milestone worth marking’
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