Africa in Focus: Guinea Worm Disease on the Brink of Eradication as WHA78 Resolution Advances

GENEVA, Switzerland — The world is on the verge of a historic public health breakthrough as delegates at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) move closer to adopting a resolution to eradicate Guinea worm disease. The resolution, championed by Chad and supported by several other Member States, acknowledges the decades-long fight against one of humanity’s oldest parasitic diseases and honours the legacy of the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the development on May 22, 2025, describing it as a “historic public health victory.” He credited the achievement to the tireless efforts of national programmes, international partners, and—most importantly—the grassroots leadership of local communities and frontline health workers.

“We are standing on the threshold of a historic public health victory: Guinea Worm elimination,” Dr. Tedros said on social media. “This progress has been driven by the dedication of national programmes, the support of international partners and, most importantly, by the leadership and hard work of local communities and health workers.”

We are standing on the threshold of a historic public health victory: #GuineaWorm elimination.

A new resolution championed by Chad and other Member States is poised for adoption at #WHA78.

This progress has been driven by the dedication of national programmes, the support of… pic.twitter.com/UamZmKNA8B

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 22, 2025

The Guinea worm, or Dracunculus medinensis, is a parasitic disease transmitted through contaminated drinking water. It causes intense pain and long-term disability, often affecting the most remote and impoverished communities. There is no vaccine or treatment—only prevention through education, clean water, and community vigilance.

In the 1980s, Guinea worm disease afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people across 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Thanks to global eradication efforts led by The Carter Center, the number of cases dropped to just 13 in 2023, according to WHO data—a 99.999% reduction.

Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, welcomed the WHA78 resolution as a tribute to President Carter, who championed the fight against neglected tropical diseases for decades.

“This is a powerful moment not just for global health but for humanity,” Alexander stated. “It demonstrates what the world can achieve when we work together to lift up the most vulnerable.”

The resolution—once formally adopted—will support the final push to verify and certify countries as Guinea worm-free, fund remaining surveillance efforts, and sustain community-led monitoring systems to prevent resurgence.

Chad, which once carried a significant burden of the disease, is now playing a central role in its global eradication. The country has also become a model for integrating community health efforts with broader development goals, including clean water access and rural health education.

If successful, Guinea worm disease will become only the second human disease ever eradicated—after smallpox in 1980—and the first to be eliminated without the use of a vaccine or curative treatment.

Africa in Focus is Vision Newspaper’s spotlight on the continent—capturing the stories, leaders, and movements shaping Africa today. Stay connected to the motherland. Follow us @visionnewspaper. #AfricaInFocus

The post Africa in Focus: Guinea Worm Disease on the Brink of Eradication as WHA78 Resolution Advances appeared first on Vision Newspaper.