Cape Verde and Egypt became malaria-free countries in 2024. Jordan became the first country ever to be certified as leprosy-free. Pakistan, Vietnam and India eliminated trachoma, a disease that causes blindness.
The number of malaria deaths in Kenya has decreased by 93 percent. Approximately 400,000 children in western Kenya have received the RTS,S malaria vaccine, the world's first of its kind. The country has distributed 15.3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Scientists have developed a new method to vaccinate against malaria by letting genetically modified malaria parasites transfer via mosquito bites. The method provided 89 percent protection against malaria in the initial study.
Sudan starts malaria vaccination, with 186,000 doses reaching 148,000 children under one year. The vaccine will be administered in 15 areas in the Gedaref and Blue Nile states, with plans to expand to 129 areas during 2025-2026. Sudan has high prevalence with over 3.4 million cases during 2023.
It is easy to think of bad things happening right now, but what are the best ones? The list can be made very long, but here are my favorites.
The World Health Organization, WHO, has certified Egypt as malaria-free after nearly a hundred years of work against the disease. The disease has been present in the country for over 4000 years. Egypt is one of 44 countries that WHO has certified as malaria-free.
The number of malaria cases and deaths in Bangladesh is steadily decreasing. The country has seen a 96 percent reduction in malaria deaths between 2008 and 2023. Over 85 percent of the population has access to malaria treatment.
Ivory Coast introduces new effective malaria vaccine. The vaccine is expected to save tens of thousands of children's lives each year. 15 African countries plan vaccination campaigns during 2024.
Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have started vaccinating children against malaria. The vaccine has shown a significant reduction in malaria diseases and child mortality in initial African pilot programs.