Cabo Verde : Malaria Free City
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde (also known as Cape Verde) as a malaria-free country.
- Cabo Verde has become the third country to acquire the status in the global health organisation’s African region.
- The country has now joined Mauritius and Algeria, who were certified in 1973 and 2019, respectively.
- Cabo Verde is also known as Cape Verde which comprises a group of islands that lie off the west coast of Africa.
- It is located nearby Senegal and is the nearest point on the continent.
- This volcanic archipelago includes ten islands and five islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups.
- Generally moderate, the climate is characterized by stable temperatures with extreme aridity.
- The terrain of the Cabo Verde islands varies from the geologically older, flatter islands in the east and the newer, more mountainous islands in the west.
Malaria:
- It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, pose the greatest threat.
- It is common in tropical areas where it’s hot and humid.
- Children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.
