The WHO certifies Cabo Verde, Timor-Leste, and Nepal as malaria-free in 2026, bringing the global total of certified countries to 47.
The World Health Organization has certified Cabo Verde, Timor-Leste, and Nepal as malaria-free nations, bringing the global total of WHO-certified malaria-free countries to 47. The achievement represents the culmination of decades of sustained investment in vector control, surveillance, case management, and community engagement in all three countries.
Malaria-free certification requires that a country demonstrate zero indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years and maintain a robust surveillance system capable of detecting and responding to any imported cases. All three newly certified countries met these criteria following intensive elimination campaigns.
Cabo Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa, eliminated malaria through a combination of indoor residual spraying, long-lasting insecticidal nets, and prompt treatment of all confirmed cases. The country's island geography facilitated vector control, but the achievement is nonetheless remarkable given the country's proximity to malaria-endemic mainland Africa.
Timor-Leste reduced malaria cases from over 223,000 in 2006 to zero indigenous cases by 2023. The country's success is attributed to its strong community health worker network, which ensures that even remote populations have access to malaria testing and treatment within 24 hours of symptom onset. The government also invested heavily in environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding habitats.
Nepal's certification is particularly significant given the country's challenging geography, which includes malaria-prone lowland areas along its southern border with India. The country implemented a district-by-district elimination strategy, progressively shrinking the malaria map from 65 endemic districts in 2010 to zero by 2023. Cross-border coordination with India was essential to managing the risk of imported cases.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the three countries for demonstrating that malaria elimination is achievable with sustained commitment. He noted that global progress against malaria has been uneven, with reductions in mortality slowing in recent years in the highest-burden countries. The certifications serve as both a celebration of success and a call to action for increased investment in the countries where malaria continues to exact its heaviest toll.
The new RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines, combined with next-generation vector control tools including gene-drive modified mosquitoes and spatial repellents, offer new hope for accelerating progress in the remaining endemic countries. The WHO's updated Global Malaria Strategy targets a 90% reduction in malaria incidence and mortality by 2030, an ambitious goal that will require unprecedented coordination and funding.