The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged countries to step-up efforts to tackle malaria in the region, calling for prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions that are data-led and tailored to local contexts.
In a message marking World Malaria Day, PAHO noted that in 2020, the 18 endemic countries of the Americas reported more than 600,000 malaria cases, a 26 per cent reduction from the previous year.
But it said between 2015 and 2019, cases had increased by 79 per cent, highlighting the need for more sustained efforts towards elimination.
It said in the Americas, Belize is on-track to be certified malaria-free this year.
Paraguay was certified malaria-free in 2018, followed by Argentina in 2019 and El Salvador in 2021, reducing the number of malaria-endemic countries in the region from 21 in 2015, to 18.
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