Guinea worm disease cases reduced by 73% since 2012

There were 148 cases of Guinea worm disease reported worldwide in 2013, a reduction of 73% compared with the 542 cases in 2012, according to data released by The Carter Center.

In addition, Nigeria has been certified as Guinea worm-free. In 1989, when The Carter Center began its international campaign to eradicate the parasitic disease, Nigeria was the most endemic country with approximately 650,000 cases.

The only countries that remain endemic for Guinea worm disease are South Sudan, Chad, Mali and Ethiopia. In 1991, there were 21 endemic countries, according to a press release.

“The final Guinea worm-endemic areas are not random,” Donald R. Hopkins, MD, vice president for health programs at The Carter Center and head of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication, said in the press release. “These last countries will continue to have Guinea worm cases because of geographic remoteness, insecurity or inadequate political will.”

Donald R. Hopkins

South Sudan reported 113 cases, which is 76% of the worldwide cases in 2013. In Chad, there were 14 cases; in Mali, there were 11 cases; and in Ethiopia, there were seven cases. There also are three cases under investigation that were reported in Sudan, along the border of South Sudan and Sudan.

In South Sudan, the reported 113 cases occurred from January to November. There were no cases reported up to Dec. 15, when political hostilities broke out in the country.

“South Sudan’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program has overcome exceptional challenges while reducing cases by 99% since 2006,” Hopkins said. “The program operated at its highest level in 2013, and we expect the team’s hard work to bear fruit this year. Immediate and sustained peace is critical to restore the program’s momentum and resume full operational surveillance and supervision to prevent any transmission in 2014.”

Disclosure: Hopkins reports no relevant financial disclosures.