Guinea worm disease infected millions of people just 30 years ago. Now, it is close to eradication.<br />The Carter Center has led efforts to fight the disease, helping educate people on how to avoid spreading the worm.
Guinea worm disease infected millions of people just 30 years ago. Now, it is close to eradication.
The Carter Center has led efforts to fight the disease, helping educate people on how to avoid spreading the worm.
coutesy The Carter Center/ L. Gubb
People become infected with Guinea worm after drinking water contaminated with the larvae of a parasitic worm. The larvae then grow into adult worms over the course of a year. The only treatment is to extract the worm.
People become infected with Guinea worm after drinking water contaminated with the larvae of a parasitic worm. The larvae then grow into adult worms over the course of a year. The only treatment is to extract the worm.
courtesy The Carter Center/ L. Gubb
A Southern Sudanese man uses a pipe filter to strain possible water fleas, which could contain Guinea worm larvae, from a potentially contaminated water source.
A Southern Sudanese man uses a pipe filter to strain possible water fleas, which could contain Guinea worm larvae, from a potentially contaminated water source.
courtesy The Carter Center/ E. Staub
A Guinea worm preserved in alcohol. Adult female worms can grow up to 3 feet long.
A Guinea worm preserved in alcohol. Adult female worms can grow up to 3 feet long.
courtesy the carter center
In South Sudan, a woman washes clothes in a roadside dam next to a sign warning of the dangers of spreading Guinea worm disease by entering the water to ease the burning pain caused by an emerging worm.
In South Sudan, a woman washes clothes in a roadside dam next to a sign warning of the dangers of spreading Guinea worm disease by entering the water to ease the burning pain caused by an emerging worm.
courtesy The Carter Center/ L. Gubb
In South Sudan, area supervisor Paulo Lovul and village volunteer Aleper Akol Naparinga use visual aids such as picture books to teach people how to avoid contracting Guinea worm.
In South Sudan, area supervisor Paulo Lovul and village volunteer Aleper Akol Naparinga use visual aids such as picture books to teach people how to avoid contracting Guinea worm.
courtesy The Carter Center/ L. Gubb
Former President Jimmy Carter with a child who has Guinea worm disease.
Former President Jimmy Carter with a child who has Guinea worm disease.
Courtesy Carter Center