Cape Verde Makes History by Eradicating Malaria and Protecting Public Health
Researchers from the University of Pretoria have highlighted a landmark achievement by Cape Verde, an island nation that has eliminated malaria, becoming the 43rd country worldwide and the third among Africa’s nations to reach this milestone. This victory marks a significant turning point for public health on the archipelago and serves as a model for how coordinated effort and sustained investment can end malaria transmission on small island states.
In mid-January 2024, the World Health Organization officially recognized that Cape Verde had reached a level of malaria control that reduces the risk to residents to near zero. The confirmation followed decades of targeted campaigns that built on prior experiences, including earlier efforts in Africa that learned from past challenges. Cape Verde’s journey reflects a broader regional pattern where persistent surveillance and community engagement can translate into lasting gains in disease elimination. The transformation stands in line with earlier African successes by Mauritius in 1973 and Algeria in 2019, which demonstrated that elimination is feasible with the right strategies .
Two earlier attempts to eradicate malaria in the 20th century highlighted the difficulties of the mission. The initial campaigns saw indoor residual spraying with the insecticide DDT during the 1960s, which halted transmission for a time but was followed by a malaria outbreak on the Santiago island in 1973 and a sizable epidemic a few years later. These episodes underscored the need for sustained, adaptable interventions rather than single measures, a lesson repeatedly reinforced by public health experts .
The second major campaign against malaria in Cape Verde began in 1978 and continued through 1983. This second effort achieved a decisive breakthrough by containing transmission to two islands, Santiago and Boa Vista, demonstrating that geographic containment is a practical step toward national elimination. Nonetheless, by 2006 the risk of malaria still posed a threat to tourism and local livelihoods, illustrating how a disease threat can impact an entire economy when transmission reemerges in vulnerable periods or settings .
The journey to complete elimination required more than one line of defense. It demanded a comprehensive strengthening of the national health system, with emphasis on early detection of infections, rapid case management, and robust vector control. Cape Verde implemented integrated surveillance to identify foci of transmission quickly, ensuring that sporadic cases did not seed larger outbreaks. Investments in health workforce training, community outreach, and reliable diagnostic capacity helped sustain momentum even during challenging periods. Even after years of progress, the islands experienced a notable outbreak in 2017, with 423 reported cases, reminding observers that vigilance remains essential in maintaining elimination status .
What ultimately tipped the balance was a sustained, vector-focused strategy that reduced mosquito populations and interrupted transmission cycles. By prioritizing continual entomological monitoring, vector control measures, and community-based prevention, Cape Verde managed to keep new infections at bay and to halt transmission altogether for a full three-year window required for formal certification. The achievement was formally recognized when the country met the WHO criterion of zero local transmission for a consecutive period, confirming eradication at the national level .
Experts emphasize that Cape Verde’s success rested on several core elements: a strong political commitment, long-term funding, stakeholder collaboration across government sectors, and steady improvements to health information systems. The strategy combined environmental management to minimize mosquito breeding sites with effective diagnosis and treatment protocols, ensuring swift responses to any suspected cases. The result is a robust health security platform that protects residents and supports sustainable tourism, public confidence, and regional health resilience (Attribution: World Health Organization).
In evaluating this accomplishment, observers note that it demonstrates how smaller nations can achieve disease elimination through persistent effort and adaptation. The Cape Verde case illustrates that eliminating malaria is not merely about one intervention but about a coordinated, multi-year program that aligns local health system capabilities with international standards and monitoring. The country’s experience provides a practical blueprint for other malaria-prone regions seeking to reduce transmission, strengthen surveillance, and safeguard both health and economic vitality in the years ahead. The broader lesson is clear: elimination is a reachable objective when data, people, and politics work in concert .
For researchers and policymakers, the Cape Verde narrative reinforces the value of sustained commitment to vector control, diagnostic accuracy, and timely treatment. It also highlights the importance of transparent reporting and continuous evaluation to maintain malaria-free status. The achievement serves as a reminder that progress in public health often hinges on persistent, collaborative efforts that span generations and borders .