Is guinea worm about to be eradicated?

Guinea worm could soon be the second human disease to be eradicated.

In the 1980s millions of cases were recorded annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Now, thanks to huge efforts globally, only 13 reported cases remain. That’s according to The Carter Center - which is leading the international campaign to eradicate the disease.

If successful, guinea worm will not only be the second disease in history to be eradicated, after smallpox, it will be the first to be wiped out without a vaccine or medicine. Adam Weiss, the director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program, talks us through the actions they’ve taken to cut cases.

The world is on a mission to eradicate other diseases too, including polio. What can we learn from the potential eradication of guinea worm? Dorcas Wangira, the BBC’s Africa Health Correspondent, explains.

Note: This episode contains medical descriptions of removing worms from the human body.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Imogen James, Mora Morrison and Maria Clara Montoya Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

*This episode was recorded and first published in February 2024. Jimmy Carter, who founded the Carter Center, died on 29 December 2024.*