World Nears Guinea Worm Eradication, With Just 10 Cases in 2025

The Carter Center reports a historic low in human Guinea worm cases, down 33% from 2024.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:47pm

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The Carter Center announced that there were only 10 reported cases of Guinea worm infections confined to three countries in 2025, a historic low. This marks a significant decline from the millions of cases when the center launched its eradication program in the mid-1980s. While animal infections still number in the hundreds, the program continues to work towards the complete eradication of this debilitating disease.

Why it matters

The eradication of Guinea worm would be a major public health achievement, joining smallpox as only the second human disease to be completely eliminated. This would alleviate immense suffering for those affected, especially in developing countries where the disease is still prevalent. The Carter Center's efforts, spearheaded by former President Jimmy Carter, have been crucial in driving progress towards this goal.

The details

In 2025, there were 4 human cases reported in Chad, 4 in Ethiopia, and 2 in South Sudan. This represents a 33% decline from the 15 cases reported in 2024. Several countries, including Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Mali, reported zero human cases for the second consecutive year. However, animal infections remain a challenge, with hundreds of cases reported across affected countries.

  • In the mid-1980s, the Carter Center launched its Guinea worm eradication program when the disease still afflicted millions of people.
  • In 2025, there were only 10 reported cases of Guinea worm infections, a historic low.
  • The 10 human cases in 2025 mark a 33% decline from the 15 cases reported in 2024.

The players

The Carter Center

A non-profit organization founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, which has been leading the effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease since the mid-1980s.

Jimmy Carter

The former U.S. President who often said he hoped to outlive the Guinea worm and has been a driving force behind the Carter Center's eradication efforts.

Adam Weiss

The director of the Carter Center's Guinea worm eradication program.

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What they’re saying

“We think about President Carter's legacy and his push to get to zero cases.”

— Adam Weiss, Director of the Carter Center's Guinea worm eradication program (ksgf.com)

“These might not be seen as the number one problems in the world, but they are the number one problems for people that suffer from these diseases. So we continue to charge ourselves with his mission of alleviating as much pain and suffering as we can.”

— Adam Weiss, Director of the Carter Center's Guinea worm eradication program (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Carter Center's eradication program is now focused on developing diagnostic tests, especially for animals, to identify infections early and prevent the spread of the disease.

The takeaway

The significant progress made in reducing Guinea worm cases, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Carter Center and its partners, demonstrates the power of sustained, coordinated global health initiatives to tackle even the most challenging diseases and improve the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations.