Guinea worm wrap-up

The latest data for July and August show that the strong trend of reductions in dracunculiasis cases continues in most of the remaining endemic countries (Table 1, Figure 1 & 2). Five countries (Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritania, Mali, Niger) have reported cumulative reductions of more than \ue2\u20ac\u201c60% each through July. Among those, Ethiopia and Uganda have already ended their peak transmission season for this year. With a cumulative reduction of \ue2\u20ac\u201c41% through August, Nigeria continues to reap the rewards of its exceptionally effective work last year, led by General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon. With 5,746 cases reported for January-July 2000, Nigeria will almost certainly report fewer cases this year than Ghana (5,971 cases in January-July). Ghana has reported \ue2\u20ac\u201c41% reduction in cases for July this year. After an average increase of 50% in January and February, Ghana has reported reductions each month since then, averaging \ue2\u20ac\u201c16% for March-July, but still leaving Ghana with 12% more cases so far this year than in 1999, and also ahead of cases reported in 1998. All endemic countries outside Sudan have reported \ue2\u20ac\u201c28% cases so far this year