World creeps closer to eradicating human Guinea worm cases, with just 10 last year: Carter Center

The Carter Center announced a historic milestone in the fight against Guinea worm disease on Friday, with only 10 reported human cases in 2025, confined to just three countries. This represents a remarkable achievement in the center’s decades-long battle to eradicate the debilitating parasitic disease.

The record low comes just over a year after the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who frequently expressed his hope to outlive Guinea worm disease. When the Carter Center launched its eradication program in the mid-1980s, millions of people in developing countries suffered from the parasite.

“We think about President Carter’s legacy and his push to get to zero cases,” said Adam Weiss, director of the center’s Guinea worm eradication program. “These might not be seen as the number one problems in the world, but they are the number one problems for people that suffer from these diseases. So we continue to charge ourselves with his mission of alleviating as much pain and suffering as we can.”

The 10 human cases in 2025 represent a 33% decline from the 15 cases reported in 2024. The infections were distributed across three countries: four in Chad, four in Ethiopia, and two in South Sudan. Four countries—Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Mali—reported zero human cases for the second consecutive year, highlighting the progress in regions previously burdened by the disease.

If successfully eradicated, Guinea worm would become only the second human disease after smallpox to be completely eliminated. However, animal infections still present a significant challenge to achieving this goal.

Guinea worm disease is contracted by consuming water contaminated with larvae. The parasite grows inside the infected host, reaching up to one meter in length and the diameter of spaghetti. The worm eventually emerges through a painful blister on the skin, causing intense suffering for the infected individual.

The disease spreads when people with emerging worms seek relief by submerging the affected area in water, allowing the worm to release larvae that can infect others. A similar cycle occurs with infected animals that enter water sources. Humans can also contract the parasite by consuming fish or amphibious creatures that have ingested the larvae.

For decades, the Carter Center has collaborated with government health ministries and partner organizations to combat the disease through public education, volunteer training, and distribution of water filters in affected communities. There is no medication to treat Guinea worm infection, though pain relievers can help manage symptoms.

Weiss noted that the program’s next focus is developing diagnostic tests, particularly for animals. Early detection, before symptoms appear, would enable behavioral changes that could prevent infected hosts from contaminating water sources with new larvae.

The animal infection situation shows mixed progress across the region. Chad, once the global epicenter of animal infections, reported 147 cases in 2025—a significant 47% reduction. Other countries reported varying numbers: 445 in Cameroon, 70 in Angola, 17 in Mali, three in South Sudan, and one in Ethiopia.

Throughout their lives, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled extensively to affected countries, working alongside Carter Center staff to build a coordinated eradication effort with the World Health Organization, national health ministries, and local officials.

The eradication program has faced some logistical challenges in recent years. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the WHO and reduce funding for international aid efforts necessitated adjustments to the center’s operations. Despite these obstacles, Weiss emphasized that the core Guinea worm program continues to function effectively at the community level.

As the number of cases approaches zero, the Carter Center’s persistence exemplifies the late president’s commitment to alleviating suffering among the world’s most vulnerable populations. The dramatic reduction in Guinea worm cases stands as a testament to what dedicated humanitarian efforts can accomplish, even against diseases that primarily affect communities far from the spotlight of global attention.