Guinea Worm Eradication Program

Guinea worm disease is a painful and debilitating ancient parasitic disease that cripples agricultural production and reduces school attendance. The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Carter Center, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) are all partners in the global effort to eradicate this disease.

As recently as 10 years ago, more than three million people were infected with the disease. Today, Guinea worm disease has been eradicated from Asia and now affects fewer than 40,000 people in eight African countries. People become infected when they drink water contaminated with microscopic Guinea worm larvae that migrate through the body and grow into thin, thread-like worms up to one yard in length. The worms emerge from the body one year later through painful blisters and can cause permanent scarring and crippling similar to polio. In highly endemic areas, 50 percent or more of the population may become disabled for weeks or months.

USAID has been an important supporter of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program over the years. In 2004, USAID signed a new agreement with the Carter Center to support the final stages of the eradication campaign.

Guinea worm disease can be prevented through health education and by filtering drinking water. Also, installing borehole wells to improve drinking water systems also can stop transmission of Guinea worm and other water-borne diseases. In highly endemic areas, water may be treated with low concentrations of a nontoxic larvicide, Abate (temephos). Installing borehole wells to improve drinking water systems also can stop Guinea worm and other water-borne diseases.