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After a 36-year effort led by The Carter Center, the countdown in cases of the parasitic illness Guinea worm disease is approaching single digits.
The center reported this week that the active case load in 2021 was just 14 in four African countries, a nearly 50 percent reduction from 27 cases last year that the center’s experts say puts eradication “within reach.”
The center also said that animal infections, which it monitors to track the potential spread of the disease propagated through river water, were also down 45 percent in 2021.
The Jimmy Carter, who founded the center with wife Rosalynn in 1982, has often said he wants to live to outlive the neglected tropical disease that the center has fought by steadfastly promoting hand washing and water filtration in affected areas.
The 97-year-old former president said praised the persistence of villagers and The Carter Center’s on-the-ground partners for the progress.
“Because of their persistence, this dreadful disease will be eradicated. Today we are closer than ever, and I am excited at the prospect of seeing the job finished,” he said in a release.
When The Carter Center took the reins of this effort in 1986, more than 3.5 million cases were recorded across 21 countries. Guinea worm disease is contracted when people or animals drink water contaminated with tiny crustaceans that eat Guinea worm larvae. Once the worms mature, they exit the body through a painful blister, usually on the patient’s feet or legs. The severe pain often leaves patients unable to grow food or care for their families.
Marshaling a team of philanthropies, researchers, experts and companies like Vestergaard and BASF, which have donated the Lifestraw filter and chemical water treatments, respectively, the Carter Center has coordinated with ministries of health around Africa to mitigate transmission of the disease. If successfully eradicated, it would be the first to have been wiped out without the use of vaccines or medication. Smallpox is the only other disease officially confirmed as eradicated.
To learn more about the fight against Guinea worm and the progress of various African nations toward eradication, go here.
Lighting Up Landmarks for World NTD Day
On Jan. 30, The Carter Center will join other sites around Atlanta and a total of 100 sites and landmarks in 30 nations lighting up in orange to raise awareness for World NTD Day, bringing attention to the neglected tropical diseases the center has devoted itself to eliminating, like Guinea worm, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness and schistosomiasis.
In Atlanta, landmarks joining include the main sign and other venues at The Carter Center, Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health jumbotron, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta City Hall and the Skyview Atlanta ferris wheel.
In Plains, Mr. Carter’s hometown, illuminated locations will include the Carters’ home and the boyhood farm as well as the Plains High School and Museum. Georgia Southwestern University in nearby Americus will light up a statue of Mrs. Carter.
In the Middle East, partners include the World Expo in Dubai and the Baharat Msheireb square in Doha, Qatar. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Carter Center donor Alwaleed Philanthropies, was able to get the Kingdom Tower
In Africa, partners will light up local towns and villages making progress against NTDs in Nigeria, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
To participate via social media, use the hashtags #EndtheNeglect and #BeatNTDs. Visit https://worldntdday.org for more information.