If current trends continue, reported cases of dracunculiasis, commonly called Guinea worm, could reach a historic low in 2013.
Recent data show that in countries where dracunculiasis is endemic, cases decreased by 77%, from 393 during January to June 2012 to 89 during the first 6 months of this year. Based on reports from last year, when three-fourths of all cases occurred from January to June, health officials expect that fewer than 150 will be reported by the end of this year.