Cape Verde Launches Campaign Against Dengue and Malaria
Cape Verde is launching a massive nationwide offensive this Saturday to safeguard its public health as it moves into the high-risk rainy season. The government has announced a comprehensive cleanup and awareness campaign across all 22 municipalities to prevent outbreaks of dengue and malaria.
A Nationwide Mobilization
The campaign represents a full-scale mobilization of the country’s resources. Public services, local organizations, and private citizens are being called upon to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds before seasonal rains trigger an increase in insect populations. The rainy season in the archipelago typically runs from July through October.
Minister of Health Lúcio Fernandes emphasized the importance of collective action following a meeting with the National Association of Cape Verdean Municipalities (ANMCV). “We are all aware of the challenges we have faced with vector-borne diseases over the past year,” Fernandes stated. “If all Cape Verdeans are involved in the fight, our success in eliminating these diseases will be much greater.”
Protecting Disease-Free Status
A primary goal of the initiative is to maintain Cape Verde’s prestigious status as a malaria-free nation. The country received official certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2024. While the archipelago currently records zero active cases of malaria, officials are taking no chances.
In 2025, the country faced a surge of approximately 400 dengue cases and 100 malaria cases. Although those outbreaks were successfully contained, the government is focusing on proactive prevention to avoid a recurrence. An inter-ministerial commission, chaired by Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho, will oversee the logistics and identify high-risk “critical zones” where cleaning efforts will be most concentrated.
Practical Steps for Prevention
The Health Minister urged residents to take immediate action around their homes by:
- Eliminating stagnant water sources.
- Removing or overturning empty containers and bottles.
- Securing and protecting cisterns and water tanks.
Fábio Vieira, president of the Association of Cape Verdean Municipalities (AMCV), noted that local authorities are working to address systemic issues such as open-air landfills, wells, and communal water tanks that act as breeding reservoirs. Vieira called for reinforced public awareness to ensure localized participation matches the national government’s efforts.
The campaign involves a broad coalition, including the ministries of Finance, Environment, and Agriculture, alongside the Armed Forces, the Red Cross, and local health delegations.
Image: Pexels – Jvalenciazz Jhon
