Donald R. Hopkins, MD, MPH: “Eradicating the Guinea Worm: Challenges in the Beginning and at the End”

The global Guinea Worm Eradication Program began at the CDC in 1980 and has been led by The Carter Center since 1986 in cooperation with the endemic countries, CDC, WHO, UNICEF and other partners.  It has reduced the number of human cases of Guinea worm disease from an estimated 3.5 million in 20 countries in 1986 to 54 cases in 5 countries in 2019.  After successfully overcoming several challenges such as under-reporting, misunderstanding, and lack of funding at the outset, the campaign now faces end-stage challenges such as unexpected infections in some dogs and other animals, as well as insecurity and unsafe access to some endemic areas.  New or modified control measures and robust research efforts are in place to help stop transmission in the remaining areas.