Dracunculiasis eradication: global surveillance summary, 2006

Overview

During 2006, the global programme to eradicate dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) continued to make considerable progress in several countries in reducing the number of reported cases in countries outside Sudan. The number of endemic countries remains 9: all endemic countries reported at least 1 indigenous case in 2006. Globally, the number of reported cases increased during 2006, reflecting better reporting from southern Sudan’s eradication programme.

Even when Sudan is included, the number of cases between 1989 and 2006 dropped from 892 055 in 1989 to 25 217 in 2006. Map 1 and Map 2 show the distribution of dracunculiasis cases by administrative area in the eastern and western parts of Africa.Table 1 shows the number of dracunculiasis cases reported in 2006 by the 9 remaining endemic countries and the 5 countries in the precertification stage. The total number of cases reported worldwide was 25 217 cases. Ghana and Sudan reported the majority of cases, accounting for 98% of the total number.