Cabo Verde Declared A Malaria-Free Country

• 18 Jan 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Cabo Verde as a Malaria-free country.

• Cabo Verde now joins Mauritius and Algeria as the third country in the WHO African region to be certified as malaria-free.

What is the Malaria Elimination Certification Process?

• About:
  • WHO certifies a country as malaria-free when it demonstrates the interruption of nationwide malaria transmission for at least 3 consecutive years and has a fully functional surveillance and response system preventing re-establishment of indigenous transmission.
• Global Status:
  • Till now, WHO has awarded the ‘malaria-free’ certification to 43 countries and 1 territory.
  • South East Asian Region: Maldives (2015) and Sri Lanka (2016) are certified malaria-free by WHO.
    • India is not certified as Malaria free.

What is Malaria?

• Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito borne blood disease caused by plasmodium parasites.
  • There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• Malaria is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America as well as Asia.
• Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
  • The mosquito becomes infected after biting an infected person. The malaria parasites then enter the bloodstream of the next person the mosquito bites. The parasites travel to the liver, mature, and then infect red blood cells.
• Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Notably, malaria is both preventable and curable.

What are the Initiatives Related to Malaria?

• Global:
  • WHO's Global Malaria Program(GMP)
  • E-2025 Initiative
• India:
  • National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030
  • National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme
  • National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP)
  • High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) Initiative
  • Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)

What are the Key Facts About Cabo Verde?

• Geographical Location:
  • Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, is a group of islands situated off the west coast of Africa.
  • It is located near Senegal and is the closest point to the African continent.
• Archipelago Structure:
  • The country is composed of ten islands and five islets.
  • These are divided into two main groups: the windward islands (Barlavento) and the leeward islands (Sotavento).
• Population:
  • The majority of the population in Cabo Verde is of mixed European and African descent.
  • People of this mixed heritage are often referred to as "mestiço" or "Crioulo."
• Capital:
  • The capital city of Cabo Verde is Praia.
• Languages:
  • Portuguese is the official language.
  • Cape Verdean Creole, or simply Creole, is also widely spoken and is considered a significant part of the cultural identity.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine? (2010)

(a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host

Ans: (b)