man is on the threshold of extinguish an infectious human disease for the 2nd meter : Guinea worm disease . This tropicalparasiteaffected millions of people in the eighties – but the latest provisionary figure show just 13 human guinea pig reported worldwide in 2022 .
The record - low-pitched number of Guinea worm cases was latterly reported by the Carter Center . Out of the 13 documented case , six were reported in Chad , five cases in South Sudan , one in Ethiopia , and one in the Central African Republic .
The build from 2022 marks a 13 percent cliff from 2021 , when 15 cases were reported . This follows the gradual demise escort in late years , with 27 human case in 2020 and 54 in 2019 .
A girl named Akouma from the Dofelgou District of Northern Togo getting a Guinea worm removed. Image credit: CDC/The Carter Center
The case numbers are presently probationary and will be officially confirm in March 2023 , but suggest we are closer than ever to eradicating this disease from humans . If that is achieved , it will be the 2d infective disease of humansto be eradicatedaftersmallpox .
“ We are recreate that eradication can be achieve soon , ” former US President Jimmy Carter , who co - founded the Carter Center in 1982 with his married woman Rosalynn Carter , said in astatement .
Guinea - wormdisease , also known as Dracunculiasis , is a parasitic transmission by the Guinea worm , Dracunculus medinensis . The disease is called by the female person of the mintage , which can grow to a massive 100 centimeters ( 39 inch ) in length .
masses become infected with the parasite by drinking contaminated water . As part of the worms ' lifecycle , larvae of the Guinea worm taint tiny crustacean or copepod , also shout out water flea , that live in freshwater . If people fuddle the polluted water , the water flea will be broken down by tummy acid , free the worm larvae into the guts .
They will then penetrate the bulwark of the intestine and transmigrate under the hide tissue paper until they pass on their exit point , often on the down in the mouth leg or feet . Here , the worm will continue tunnel under the pelt , causing a large blister that will eventually pop after 10 to 14 month , releasing the dirt ball and hundreds of thou of larva .
While the disease is rarely fateful , it can be extremely filthy and can handicap hoi polloi for several week or months . Along with a painful bleb , hoi polloi can expect to feel ill with a fever , regurgitation , diarrhea , and dizziness .
There are no drugs or vaccines that can be used to treat or foreclose Guinea - worm disease . That stand for this disease , unlike smallpox , is set to be the first to be wipe out without avaccineor medicinal drug .
Its potential eradication has been made possible through extensive program by NGOs , such as the Carter Centre , and wellness authorities , like the World Health Organization . As well as set up community awareness and educational activity about the job , there has also been a huge endeavour to supervise infections , filterdrinking water , and protect water sources from contamination .
These efforts have examine to be implausibly successful . During the mid-1980s , there were an estimated 3.5 million sheath of Guinea - worm disease in 20 dissimilar countries – now , instance numbers are heading towards unmarried figures .
in conclusion , the remainder is in vision .
“ We extend to analyze ways to vote down and keep this contagion . Community members , ministry of health , and our partners are working with us to follow up treatment that are effective , including enquiry to find innovative solutions . We wo n’t stop until the last Guinea dirt ball is gone , ” add together Adam Weiss , Guinea Worm Eradication Program Director .
