Ethiopia Closes In
In 2020, an 11-year-old girl strains pond water through a household filter near her home in Gog, Ethiopia, to prevent Guinea worm disease.
The year 2024 marked the second consecutive one in Ethiopia with no known human cases of Guinea worm disease. The country reported a small handful of animal infections, around five.
Four years ago, Ethiopia faced 11 human cases after a small Guinea worm outbreak at a farm. The country reported 15 animal infections that year.
The key to continuing this downward trend? Surveillance, surveillance, surveillance. “The teams in Ethiopia must remain vigilant,” said Adam Weiss, director of the Carter Center’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program. “Every potential Guinea worm — whether human case or animal infection — must be reported, monitored, and tested to ensure the country’s numbers reach zero.”
The international Guinea worm eradication campaign has reduced the human cases of the disease by 99.99% since 1986 — with no vaccine or medicine. Community-based behavior change and local mobilization continue to be the drivers of success.
With such low numbers, the international community is watching Ethiopia, hoping it becomes the next country to make Guinea worm part of its past.
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