Dracunculiasis eradication: and now, Sudan.

[dracunculiasis]

This paper summarizes the status of the global dracunculiasis eradication campaign as of early 2002 . Of the 20 countries that were endemic when the campaign began , seven have already interrupted transmission , four countries reported less than 100 cases each , and only five countries reported more than 1 ,000 cases each in 2001 . Only 14 ,000 cases remained outside Sudan in 2001 . Sudan reported 78 % of all cases of dracunculiasis in 2001 , and virtually all of Sudan 's cases were in the southern states , where the long -standing civil war limits accessibility to endemic areas . A political settlement of the war is now urgently needed , since it will be impossible to complete the eradication of dracunculiasis without peace in Sudan .