WHO certifies Georgia as malaria-free

• Following a nearly century-long effort, Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

• Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.

• The final decision on awarding a malaria-free certification is made by the WHO Director-General, based on a recommendation by the Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification and validation from the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.

• With this announcement, Georgia joins the ranks of 45 countries and 1 territory that have achieved this milestone.

A longstanding challenge

• Malaria has plagued Georgia since ancient times. Before the introduction of systematic control efforts in the early 1900s, at least three malaria parasite species — P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. vivax — were endemic in the country. In the 1920s, an estimated 30 per cent of the population suffered from malaria caused by the P. vivax malaria species.

• By 1940, large-scale mosquito control programmes had helped reduce malaria cases significantly through improved access to diagnostic and treatment facilities. A few years later, however, World War II caused a surge again due to population movement and the strain on health facilities. 

• In the post-war period, Georgia launched an intensive programme aimed at eliminating malaria, using newer medicines, insecticide spraying and robust entomological surveillance. The campaign successfully interrupted the transmission of P. falciparum by 1953, P. malariae by 1960 and P. vivax by 1970. 

• Georgia remained malaria-free for 25 years, but by 2002, malaria had reemerged in the country with 474 cases reported.

• In 2005, together with 9 other countries in the WHO European Region, Georgia signed the Tashkent Declaration, reaffirming its pledge to eliminate malaria. The intensified interventions that followed significantly reduced malaria incidence in Georgia, with the last indigenous case recorded in 2009. By 2015, all 53 countries of the WHO European Region, including Georgia, reported zero indigenous cases of malaria.

• To prevent further re-establishment of malaria transmission in the region, the original signatories of the Tashkent Declaration issued the Ashgabat Statement in 2017 committing to take all efforts to remain malaria-free. 

Some facts on malaria:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable, and does not spread from person to person.

• It is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors”. 

• There are five parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and two of these species — Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax — pose the greatest threat. 

• Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. 

• The first symptoms — fever, headache, and chills — may be mild and difficult to recognise as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death.

• Symptoms usually start within 10-15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.

• Symptoms may be mild for some people, especially for those who have had a malaria infection before. Because some malaria symptoms are not specific, getting tested early is important. 

• Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death. 

• Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. 

Severe symptoms include:

i) Extreme tiredness and fatigue. 

ii) Impaired consciousness

iii) Multiple convulsions

iv) Difficulty breathing

v) Dark or bloody urine

vi) Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) 

vii) Abnormal bleeding.

• Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and by taking medicines.

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