WHO EMRO | WHO events addressing public health priorities: Prevention of re-establishment of local malaria transmission in malaria-free countries

The battle to eliminate the scourge of malaria in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) continues unabated. To date there have been notable successes in this fight, with 14 countries so far having succeeded in eliminating malaria (1). Their main priority now is to prevent re-establishment of local malaria transmission in receptive and vulnerable areas. However, local malaria outbreaks have been reported recently from some malaria-free countries in the Region (such as Egypt and Oman), as well as countries in other regions (such as Greece) from 2010 to 2014 (2). Such examples highlight the need for vigilance, continuous assessment of the eco-epidemiological situation, and readiness for prompt and appropriate interventions.