Cameroon

In 1986, Guinea worm disease afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people a year in Cameroon and 20 other countries.

With Carter Center assistance, Cameroon eliminated Guinea worm disease in 1997. The Center continues to assist as the country remains vigilant against cases arriving from neighboring Chad. In recent years, Guinea worm infections in animals have been detected; we are working to determine their origin and prevent transmission to humans.

Since the worms that infect animals are the same species (Dracunculus medinensis) as those that infect humans, eradication requires stopping infections in both.

Our Work and Methods

The Center-led program in Cameroon works to increase awareness about the disease and promote prevention techniques. We’ve done this by:

• Educating and assisting in the treatment of ponds with ABATE® larvicide (donated by BASF Corp.)
• Straining water with nylon filters
• Providing clean water from borehole wells
• Empowering local health care workers and village-based volunteers to report cases and educate others
• Initiating a cash reward system to encourage case reporting and containment measures
• Monitoring rates of Guinea worm infections in dogs to inform next steps

Impacts

• Stopped transmission of Guinea worm disease in 1997 
• Recognized Cameroon’s succcess in special ceremony at The Carter Center in 2000
• Received disease elimination certification from the World Health Organization in 2007

The latest information about Cameroon and Guinea worm disease can be found in ournews section.

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a parasitic disease transmitted through infected black flies that live near rivers and streams. It causes skin rashes, changes in skin pigmentation, and severe itching. And in serious cases, it can lead to vision impairment or blindness.

In the early 1990s, the River Blindness Foundation began assisting Cameroon’s Ministry of Health to distribute Mectizan® (ivermectin, donated by Merck & Co. Inc), and in 1996, the Center absorbed the River Blindness Foundation. 

The Carter Center ended its river blindness program in Cameroon in August 2012.