2009: Eradication of the Guinea Worm

The Carter Center and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are spearheading the effort to fund the Dracunculiasis Eradication Program (DEP). Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease, is transmitted by drinking contaminated water and is currently prevalent in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Thanks to education efforts, Asia has been completely free of the Guinea worm since 2005; the DEP has set a goal of global eradication by 2009. Education measures can help promote simple methods to prevent the disease, such as using water filters, treating water sources with larvicide, and drinking from hand-dug wells.