No new cases of malaria in China

China has seen no locally transmitted cases of malaria for four consecutive years since 2017, said Li Bin, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission, at a recent online seminar organised by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, the WHO and Harvard University.

According to WHO standards, certification of malaria eradication can be granted to a country that has seen ‘no transmission of the disease for three consecutive years’, has established a ‘well-supported system of malaria detection and containment’, and has made ‘practical plans for prevention’.

China gained experience in malaria control

China has gained abundant expertise and experience in malaria control and elimination over the years, which includes the discovery and use of artemisinin, Li said. He also added that China will further strengthen cooperation for malaria eradication with African countries.

The WHO has warned that Covid-19 disruptions could be a ‘significant threat’ to helping control malaria in countries like Africa, and beyond. Malaria kills 400,000 people a year, most of them children under five.