Results
Human Cases and Animal Infections

During 2024, a total of 15 human dracunculiasis cases were identified worldwide, including nine in Chad and six in South Sudan (Table 1), one more than the 14 total human cases reported in 2023 (Table 2). One case was reported during January–June 2025, compared with three during the same period in 2024. A total of 664 animal infections were reported from Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan in 2024, a 22% decrease from the 854 reported in 2023 (Table 2). The 550 animal infections reported during January–June 2025 represent a 20% increase compared with the 459 reported during the same period in 2024. Among the 664 animal infections reported during 2024, 591 (89%) were reported by Cameroon (310; 47%) and Chad (281; 42%). Among 550 animal infections reported during January–June 2025, 478 (87%) were reported by these two countries (Cameroon: 398; 72%, and Chad: 80; 15%).

Laboratory Analysis of Specimens

During January–June 2025, CDC received seven worm specimens from humans; three of these were laboratory confirmed as D. medinensis (Table 3),§§ compared with one of seven human specimens confirmed as D. medinensis during January–June 2024. During January–June 2025, CDC and the University of Georgia received 731 worm specimens from animals, 663 (91%) of which were laboratory confirmed D. medinensis, compared with 494 (92%) confirmed worm specimens from among 545 received during January–June 2024.

Country Reports

Angola. No human cases were detected in the 151 communities under surveillance in Angola in 2024 (Table 1). Whereas 39 infected dogs were detected during all of 2024, 70 such infections were detected during January–June 2025 (Table 2), a 79% increase. Genetic analysis has not identified a direct link between Angola’s D. medinensis and specimens from other countries (E Thiele, PhD, Vassar College, personal communication, August 2025). Angola uses temephos in affected areas and in 2024 started preparations to tether dogs at risk for infection.

Cameroon. Cameroon detected Guinea worm in 2019 after having reported no cases since 1997 and being certified Guinea worm–free by WHO in 2007. Guinea worm was initially imported from adjacent areas of Chad, and indigenous transmission was reestablished in Cameroon within a few years. Cameroon reported no human cases in 2024 or during January–June 2025. In 2024 and during January–June 2025, a total of 310 (Table 1) and 398 (Table 2) infected animals, respectively, were reported in 20 villages close to the Chad-Cameroon border. Cameroon expanded active surveillance by training local village volunteers and their supervisors, while implementation of their policy for tethering dogs¶¶ reached 79% compliance.

Chad. Chad reported nine human cases in both 2023 and 2024, and one case during both January–June of 2024 and 2025 (Table 2). Chad reported 43% fewer animal infections in 2024 (281) than in 2023 (496) and 44% fewer infected animals during January–June 2025 (80) than during January–June 2024 (144). By December 2024, Chad had implemented surveillance in 2,785 villages (Table 1). In areas with established surveillance, 62% and 55% of residents surveyed during 2024 and January–June 2025, respectively, were aware of the rewards for reporting a case of dracunculiasis. In villages reporting dog infections during the preceding or current year, proactive tethering of eligible dogs reached 70% and 45% during 2024 and January–June 2025, respectively.

Water treatment with temephos reached all 184 villages with reported dracunculiasis by December 2024; by June 2025, temephos treatment reached 225 villages that either reported dracunculiasis or were at high risk for dracunculiasis. In December 2024, 86% of all 409 villages had a source of copepod-free drinking water (e.g., borehole well). During January 2024–June 2025, national and provincial political leaders pledged support for Guinea worm eradication.

Ethiopia. Ethiopia reported no human dracunculiasis cases during January 2023–June 2025 (Table 2). Surveillance was conducted in 474 villages and other areas including farms and other temporary habitations. Two infected baboons were detected in 2024. In April 2024, one nonemerged worm from a baboon did not meet the case definition and was therefore not counted. In 2024, 96% of surveyed persons in areas under active surveillance knew of the rewards for reporting infected animals; in January–June 2025, 99% knew of the rewards.

Since April 2018, Ethiopia has supported villager-initiated tethering of approximately 1,900 dogs and cats in villages at highest risk for the disease. In addition, temephos is applied monthly to water sources known to be used by humans or infected animals in areas at risk for the disease.

Mali. Guinea worm transmission in Mali is complicated by the commercial marketing and transport of dogs for human consumption. Mali reported no human dracunculiasis during January 2024–June 2025, compared with a single case in 2023 (Table 2). In 2024, a total of 28 infected animals were reported, a 39% decrease compared with 46 in 2023. Mali reported two dog infections during January–June 2025, compared with no animal infections reported during the same period in 2024. All infected animals were in areas that were relatively inaccessible by public health personnel because of civil unrest.

In 2024, a total of 1,966 villages in Mali were under surveillance for dracunculiasis (Table 1). In 2024, 87% of persons in these areas knew about the rewards for reporting dracunculiasis; during January–June 2025, 94% knew of the rewards. All dogs in Mali are tethered during June–September, the peak Guinea worm transmission season.

South Sudan. South Sudan reported six human Guinea worm cases in 2024 and two in 2023 (Table 2). No cases were reported during January–June 2025, compared with two during January–June 2024. Two infected cats, one dog, and one genet (a small African carnivore) were detected in 2024, as well as 14 small carnivores, including servals, other wild cats, and civets, with nonemerged Guinea worms in 2024. No infected animals were detected during January–June 2025. Sporadic civil insecurity is a challenge to surveillance and interventions. By December 2024, a total of 2,490 villages in South Sudan were under surveillance (Table 1).

Health Care Worker Training

GWEP activities rely heavily on public health personnel. Training for case detection, containment, reporting, and topical treatment of Guinea worm lesions, as well as education about safe water, resulted in the cumulative addition of thousands of trained health officers in the affected countries.