At Work Around the World

Cote d'lvoire

With help from The Carter Center, Cote d'Ivoire has reduced its incidence of Guinea worm disease by 99 percent.


Building Hope

With one of the most developed economies on the continent, Cote d'Ivoire represented much of what many African states are still struggling for: peace and prosperity. However, recent violence in the nation has undone much of what was accomplished in Cote d'Ivoire. Together, The Carter Center and the government of the Cote d'Ivoire are working to promote the health of all Ivoirians through the eradication of a painful and debilitating disease, Guinea worm. In the past, Cote d'Ivoire achieved much, and it can continue to do so in the future, provided peace once again prevails in the nation.


Fighting Disease

Eradicating Guinea Worm

Current Status: Transmission stopped, September 2006
Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication: Pending

When Cote d'Ivoire joined the Guinea worm eradication campaign in 1995, there were a recorded 3,421 cases in 252 Ivoirian villages. By 2006, the country reported a more than 99 percent reduction in cases, reporting only five Guinea worm cases in one village from the district of Mibahikro. Today, the country has reported more than 13 consecutive months of zero indigenous cases, suggesting that transmission of disease has been stopped.

Since the December 1999 coup that toppled then President Henri Konan Bedie, the country has been on the verge of civil war. Tensions rose again after a second coup attempt in 2002, which divided the country and has led to the current political crisis. Despite emerging challenges, the nation's Guinea worm eradication program continues to demonstrate that success is possible. Despite the continuing threat of civil war, in September 2006 the program reported its last indigenous case from the village of Lendoukro, thanks to systematic interventions against transmission of the disease. Complete elimination of Guinea worm disease is a tremendous victory for the people of Cote d'Ivoire, ensuring that many will be spared future suffering from this disease.

Often called "the fiery serpent," victims sometimes seek relief from the intense burning sensation caused by the emerging worms and thus recontaminate drinking water. A child suffers and is unable to attend school, work, or play. A parent suffers and is unable to harvest crops or care for younger children. Guinea worm cripples a community. Guinea worm is projected to be the next disease, after smallpox, to be eradicated from the Earth. Unlike smallpox, Guinea worm disease has no vaccine or treatment. Eradication efforts must therefore be largely dependent on education and preventative measures.

Approaches for eradication introduced in local communities include: health education; the distribution of nylon filters to strain out water fleas hosting infected larvae; safe, monthly treatment of stagnant water sources with ABATE® larvicide, donated by the BASF Corporation; direct advocacy with water organizations; and increased efforts to build safer hand-dug wells. Village volunteers, who are trained, supplied, and supervised by the program, carry out monthly surveillance and interventions.

Cote d'Ivoire must maintain quality surveillance until the country is officially certified as Guinea worm-free.

UPDATED MAY 2008

Learn more about the Carter Center's Guinea Worm Eradication Program.