Ministers of Health of dracunculiasis-affected countries have reiterated their commitment to interrupting transmission of the disease by the end of 2015. From 1 January to 30 April 2015, only 3 confirmed cases have been reported to WHO.
Comments about Guinea Worm by Dr Matshidiso Moeti
The four endemic countries reported a total of 126 confirmed cases in 2014: Chad (13 cases), Ethiopia (3), Mali (40) and South Sudan (70).
From January to April 2015, however, only Chad has reported cases (3). The country faces an atypicical epidemiology of the disease, with worms reported in the canine population. Several dogs now harbour worms that are genetically identical to those occurring in humans.
Remarks about Guinea Worm by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General
WHO and its partners are working closely with the national eradication programme in Chad and several measures are being implemented to interrupt transmission of the disease, including in the canine population.
Interview about Guinea Worm of State Secretary of Health, Republic of Chad
The national eradication programme in Chad is also pushing for the application of temephos1 on all surface drinking water sources to kill the cyclops which act as intermediate host.
One of the major achievements is in South Sudan which, despite the recent civil unrest, has maintained zero transmission since November 2014.
Interview about Guinea Worm of Dr Makur M Kariom, Republic of South Sudan
From January to March 2015, South Sudan has investigated 2994 rumours. A total of 39 specimens sent for laboratory analysis have tested negative for Dracunculus medinensis.
WHO donated 12 vehicles and 288 bicycles to the South Sudan Ministry of Health in April 2015. One of the vehicles and 75 of the bicycles have been added to the national programme’s existing fleet.
Ministers of Health of dracunculiasis-endemic countries met senior officials of WHO and representatives of organizations supporting the eradication campaign during an informal gathering at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20 May 2015.
The WHO Roadmap on neglected tropical diseases targets global interruption of dracunculiasis transmission by the end of 2015. If this is achieved, it will take the world another 3 years of heightened surveillance to ensure total elimination.
Besides the four endemic countries, a further four countries require certification from WHO: Kenya and Sudan (in the pre-certification stage) and Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (which are not known to be endemic).
A total of 186 WHO Member States have already been certified free of dracunculiasis transmission.
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1 A safe chemical used to kill the cyclops which act as intermediate host of the parasite.