Angola

The Carter Center has worked with the Ministry of Health in Angola to fight Guinea worm disease since 2019. Cases of the disease surprisingly appeared in 2018, but through partnerships with international organizations and the Angolan government, human cases have been reduced to zero. The Center continues to assist Angola in its elimination efforts.

Short-term Goals

We work with the Ministry of Health in Angola to eliminate Guinea worm disease once and for all.

Impact

Angola’s Ministry of Health trained volunteers to conduct community-based surveillance in villages most at risk of infection, with support from The Carter Center and the World Health Organization.
Preventive measures resulted in zero human cases of Guinea worm in 2021-2024.

Carter Center Applauds Historic World Health Assembly Resolution to Accelerate Guinea Worm Eradication

Press Release
May. 24, 2025

Angola Develops a Strategic Plan to Eradicate Guinea Worm Disease

Media Coverage
Mar. 18, 2025

Carter Center Reports 14 Human Guinea Worm Cases in 2024

Press Release
Jan. 30, 2025

Active

Guinea Worm

Current status: Endemic
Indigenous cases reported in 2024: 0
Animal infections reported in 2024: 36

In February 2019, the Center accepted an invitation from Angola’s president to help the country eliminate Guinea worm. Since the first case was reported in 2018, only three human cases and one infected dog have been detected, all in one province.

Our Work and Methods

Angola’s Ministry of Health established active community-based surveillance by trained village volunteers in 54 at-risk villages starting in August 2020, assisted by The Carter Center and the World Health Organization. We opened a country office in 2023 to assist the Ministry of Health’s national Guinea Worm Eradication Program.

Impacts