Progress toward global eradication of dracunculiasis, 2002-2003.

[dracunculiasis]

In 1986 , when the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution calling for the eradication of dracunculiasis (i .e ., Guinea worm disease ), an estimated 3 .5 million cases occurred in 20 countries , and 120 million persons were at risk for the disease . This report describes the status of the global dracunculiasis eradication program (DEP ) as of the end of 2003 . The findings indicate substantial overall progress towards eradication in 2003 compared with 2002 , a major reduction in cases in Sudan , and an increase in cases in Ghana . Further progress will require 1 ) increased surveillance in all areas in which dracunculiasis is endemic or was previously endemic , 2 ) access to areas that lack security , and 3 ) concentrated efforts in Sudan once peace is achieved .