(30th August, 2013) - The national Ministry of Health has announced that the prevalence of Guinea worm cases has reduced by 80% in South Susan over the past year.
The Director for Guinea Worm Eradication in the National Ministry of health, Samuel Makoi, said the significant fall in the number of cases was due to the efforts made by the Ministry and its partners such as the Carter center, World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children Education’s Fund (UNICEF).
Director Makoi said there are only ten reported cases throughout the country mostly in Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria, Awerial in Lakes State and Aweil West County of Northern Bahr El Ghazal.
He said the number of infections have reduced from over five hundred in 2012 to less than on hundred in 2013.
“In absolute numbers, we have 521 cases in 2012, compared to just 97 cases we recorded between January and August 2013,” he said.
“This is actually a very significant and commendable reduction in cases in just one transmission season.”
Guinea worm disease is spread by drinking contaminated water and is characterized by a high fever and sores on the feet. The ministry of health is aiming at having zero reported cases by 2016.