2011 TOTALS

1,060*

Cases of Guinea Worm Disease
Reported January to December 2011

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In 2011, there were 1,060* reported cases of Guinea worm disease in four African countries—South Sudan, Mali, Ethiopia, and a small, isolated outbreak in Chad — a 41 percent decrease from 2010.  

The case totals include:

South Sudan - 1,030*
Mali - 12*
Ethiopia - 8*
Chad (Outbreak) - 10*

*Provisional. Total includes an isolated outbreak in Chad (10), and two cases reported by Ethiopia as imported from South Sudan.

When The Carter Center began leading the campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease in 1986, there were an estimated 3.5 million cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Today, that number has been reduced to less than 1 percent of the original count, with most cases (97 percent) remaining in South Sudan. Guinea worm is poised to be the next human disease after smallpox to be eradicated.

For regular Guinea worm case total updates, read Guinea Worm Wrap-up >