PRAIA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cape Verde has recorded 56 malaria cases, including 23 imported ones, Minister of Health Jorge Figueiredo said on Thursday, urging residents of Praia, the city most affected, to remain vigilant.

"We are going through a complex period related to malaria, and consequently, cases are emerging that we are closely monitoring," the minister said.

Figueiredo said that while some cases have shown fluctuating patterns, challenges in tackling the disease are expected to persist through the end of the year.

"We are strengthening strategies to prevent the occurrence of malaria and epidemics, as well as serious health impacts on the population," he added, calling on all multisectoral authorities, from environmental services to municipalities, to take part and to care for themselves and their communities.

Despite weather conditions that remain favorable for malaria transmission, Cape Verde is working diligently to maintain its malaria-free status, granted by the World Health Organization in January 2024, the minister said. ■