By Ethan Covey
Cases of dracunculiasis have fallen sharply since the Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) began in 1986, and global eradication may be near.
However, the emergence of small numbers of cases in dogs and baboons has complicated eradication efforts (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70[44]:1527-1533).
“This report documents the decline of Guinea worm disease in humans from an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986, when the global GWEP began, to 27 in 2020,” said Sharon