An international campaign led by the WHO, CDC, UNICEF, and the Carter Center has successfully reduced cases of dracunculiasis from $${}3.5$$ million in $${}1986$$ to only $${}126$$ cases in $${}2014$$, reported in Chad, Mali, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Dracunculiasis Eradication Campaign

The eradication of dracunculiasis is highly feasible because its diagnosis is straightforward, control methods (such as filtering water with cloth) are inexpensive, there is no animal reservoir, the water flea hosts are restricted to still water and not airborne, the disease is geographically restricted, and involved governments are committed. Furthermore, no vaccine or medication is needed for prevention or treatment.

Factors Enabling Dracunculiasis Eradication

Dracunculiasis, or Guinea worm disease, is caused by the nematode *Dracunculus medinensis* and is contracted by consuming water contaminated with water fleas (small crustaceans) carrying the parasite's larvae. These larvae migrate from the host's intestine, mate, and move through the body until mature females emerge, typically through the feet, causing severe pain, secondary infections, and fluid accumulation (edema).

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Dracunculus medinensis, commonly known as the guinea worm, is an example of a multicellular parasitic helminth. Infection usually occurs when an individual consumes drinking water that contains water fleas infected with guinea-worm larvae. As the adult worm gradually works its way out of the host's skin, it causes debilitating symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and painful ulcers on the legs and feet. Thanks to coordinated global sanitation efforts to improve drinking water, cases of guinea-worm disease have plummeted from an estimated $${}3.5$$ million in the mid-$${}1980$$s to only $${}126$$ reported cases in $${}2014$$.

Dracunculus medinensis

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