Dracunculiasis eradication.

Dracunculiasis is a disease caused by a parasite transmitted through infected drinking water. The International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990), provided a unique opportunity to eliminate the disease. The strategy of the eradication campaign was based on provision of safe drinking water supply, intensified case containment and health education. An appropriate epidemiological surveillance system was established to guide and evaluate the eradication effort. From an estimated 3.2 million people affected by the disease at the beginning of the campaign, the number of cases dropped to 10,674 by the end of year 2005. Currently the transmission of the disease takes place in 9 sub-Saharan countries only and another 7 countries are in the pre-certification stage. So far, 168 countries and territories have been certified free of transmission. However; eradication of the disease requires that all countries be certified free of transmission. With the support of the international community and the work of national dracunculiasis eradication programmes of affected countries, dracunculiasis may well be the first parasitic disease to be eradicated.