Guinea Worm Disease Nears Eradication with Record Low Cases in 2025

In 2025, the global incidence of Guinea worm disease reached a historic low, with only 10 human cases reported, according to The Carter Center. This represents a 33% decrease from the 15 cases documented in 2024. The cases were distributed among three countries: Chad and Ethiopia each reported four cases, while South Sudan reported two. Notably, Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Mali reported zero human cases for the second consecutive year.

The Carter Center, which has led the global eradication campaign since 1986, highlighted the significance of this achievement. Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, stated,

"President Carter always said he wanted to outlast the last Guinea worm. While he didn’t quite get his wish, he and Mrs. Carter would be proud to know there were only 10 human cases reported in 2025. And they would remind us that the work continues until we reach zero."

Guinea worm disease, caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, is contracted through consuming contaminated water. Approximately a year after infection, the worm emerges from the body, causing significant pain and disability. The disease predominantly affects rural communities with limited access to clean drinking water.

Efforts to eradicate the disease have been multifaceted, focusing on health education, provision of water filtration tools, and community-based surveillance. In 2025, Chad reported a 47% reduction in animal infections, with 147 cases, marking its sixth consecutive year of progress. However, despite reductions in several countries, the global provisional total for animal infections saw a slight increase, primarily due to rises in Cameroon and Angola.

The World Health Assembly reinforced the commitment to eradication by adopting resolution WHA78.14 in May 2025, aiming to accelerate efforts against Guinea worm disease. This resolution emphasizes the need for integrated approaches combining human, animal, and environmental health strategies.

The Carter Center continues to collaborate with national ministries of health, the World Health Organization, and other partners to achieve the goal of complete eradication. The persistence of animal infections underscores the necessity of ongoing vigilance and innovative strategies to eliminate the disease entirely.