There was a Malaria resurgence in Greece in 2011 marking an end to Greece’s malaria-free status since 1974. The reason for the reappearance was credited to agricultural workers who had traveled from regions that are endemic with malaria. To make Greece malaria-free again, a mass drug administration (MDA) program was implemented on 1,270 immigrant workers.

To stop malaria from spreading, health professionals took action and enforced standard control measures for a year. These measures included active case detection and intensified vector control. Once complete, the MDA program was implemented to eradicate the virus that had resurfaced.

The control program included screening at house visits, rapid diagnostic tests through blood sampling and molecular testing. Positive tests were immediately treated while health workers conducted indoor residual spraying.

In 2013 and 2014 Greece reported no new malaria cases.