Today, Jimmy Carter discussed his cancer diagnosis and treatment, even saying "I hope the last Guinea worm dies before I do." [full video of his press conference]
What a gift to future generations it would be. Humanity has only eradicated smallpox before this, and there was a vaccine for that. In May, the WHO reiterated its commitment to interrupt transmission of the Guinea worm--technically a nematode--by the end of 2015.
Cheap water filters and dedicated public health practitioners made it possible. The leadership of Jimmy Carter brought the necessary financial resources and galvanized local governments to make this happen.
Through July of 2015, there have been just 11 cases in the 4 endemic countries (Chad [7 cases], Ethiopia [1], Mali [1] and South Sudan [2]). If these communities can pull it off, then after 3 years of no further disease, WHO would officially declare eradication.
Earlier this year on NPR, President Carter said:
"It's a despicable disease. And it was in such remote villages that no one wanted to take on the task. So we decided to take it on. We started in 1986 and we've been going at it ever since. Twenty-six thousand five hundred villages were affected — and [the Carter Center] has been to every one of them."
At that time, an estimated 3.5 million people in 20 countries in Asia and Africa suffered from a parasitic infection Carter describes as "horribly painful ... caused by drinking contaminated water from rain ponds, which is often the only source of water for a village." Once ingested, the microscopic larvae begin to grow and within a year develop into stringy three-foot-long worms that slowly and agonizingly emerge from lesions that can appear anywhere in the body.
The American Museum of Natural History in NYC has an exhibit dedicated to the eradication of Guinea worm (and other disease candidates for eradication). Here's their video about the disease eradication effort.
This news article addresses some of the current strategies in eliminating the disease from Chad, where some dogs have become infected from apparently eating fish entrails.
Public-health workers are now striving to educate affected villages about this presumed new mode of guinea worm transmission, encouraging people to cook their fish thoroughly; dispose of the fish entrails in a sanitary way; and keep infected dogs out of the water.
As he said in today's press conference, The Carter Center is well-structured and well-financed to carry on for future generations.
Here's Jimmy Carter on the DailyShow back in January
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/...
UPDATE
Here's a video clip of President Carter discussing what he wants to see before leaving this world. [Here's a direct link to the c-span clip]
What a person. Be well Sir.