The latest report from The Carter Center shows that there were 13 cases of Guinea worm disease reported globally in 2023, indicating that the disease is close to being eradicated.

The confirmed number of human cases in 2022 is expected to be finalized in the upcoming months. This aligns with the initial count, which recorded 15 cases in 2021.

In 1986, there were approximately 3.5 million cases worldwide when ex-President Jimmy Carter declared that his Carter Center, after his presidency, would focus on eliminating a parasitic illness that was prevalent in developing countries in Africa and Asia.

“My grandparents have always dreamed of eradicating Guinea worm disease and the immense suffering it causes. They have put in tremendous effort to turn this dream into a reality,” stated Jason Carter, board chair of the Carter Center and eldest grandson of former president Jimmy Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn Carter.

The ex-president, who is currently 99 years old, is receiving home hospice care in Plains, Georgia. The ex-first lady passed away in November at the age of 96. According to the Carter Center, there was a slight increase in animal cases from 685 in 2022 to 713 in 2023, but this was due to intensified monitoring in Angola and Cameroon. The worm responsible for these cases affects both humans and animals.

In 2023, a total of 13 possible cases of human infection were reported, with nine in Chad, two in South Sudan, and one each in Cameroon and Mali. The number of confirmed Guinea worm cases in Ethiopia decreased from one in 2022 to none in the provisional count. In 2022, South Sudan had five confirmed cases.

Former President Jimmy Carter has expressed his desire to outlast the Guinea worm.

People usually acquire Guinea worm disease from tainted water sources that contain creatures that consume Guinea worm larvae. Inside the human body, the larvae mature into adult worms and reproduce. Pregnant female worms frequently emerge from painful blisters on the host’s skin.

The eradication of Guinea worm would make it the second human disease, following smallpox, to be eliminated. It would also be the first parasitic disease to be eradicated without a vaccine. The efforts of the Carter Center’s eradication programs have primarily centered on educating local communities about the disease and its origin.

Donald Hopkins, the architect of the campaign to eradicate Guinea worm and senior advisor at the Carter Center, acknowledged the residents in the impacted regions for their contribution.

“In the absence of a vaccine or medication, Guinea worm disease is gradually decreasing due to the daily efforts of individuals to filter their water, secure their animals, dispose of fish remains correctly, and protect their water sources,” stated Hopkins. “This is a reflection of their concern for their communities, loved ones, and families.”