Egypt has been declared ‘malaria-free’ by the World Health Organization (WHO), in what it has called a “truly historic” milestone after nearly a century of work to eradicate the disease.Malaria in Egypt can be traced back to ancient times.

Egypt has been fighting malaria for nearly 100 years. WHO declares a country malaria-free when the disease has not been present for at least three consecutive years before the designation.

Egypt was certified as malaria-free on Sunday, with the World Health Organisation calling the achievement “truly historic” and the culmination of nearly a century of work to stamp out the disease.

The World Health Organization says the disease "that plagued pharaohs" now belongs to Egypt's history.

In the 1940s, malaria cases in Egypt surged to over three million due to population displacement during World War II.

Malaria has been traced as far back as 4,000 BCE in Egypt, with genetic evidence of the disease found in Tutankhamun and other mummies.

"Malaria, which has been with Egyptian civilization since the days of the pharaohs, is now a part of its history, not its future," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Egypt is the 44th country to be certified, but the fight against malaria goes on, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history." WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Egyptian authorities initiated malaria control measures nearly a century ago.