On 25 May 2006, during the 59th WHA a meeting took place involving 16 Ministers of Health or their representatives from Guinea worm affected countries, together with WHO and its partners, UNICEF, The Carter Center to take stock of progress achieved towards freeing the world of this disabling disease by the end of 2009.

Guinea worm disease is caused by the largest tissue parasite in humans. It is contracted when people drink water contaminated by small copepods transmitting the disease. After approximately 1 year after infection, the adult female worm, which can measure up to one metre, emerges at the skin surface causing severe pain and disability.

Eradication of Guinea worm is in its final stage. The number of cases has dropped from nearly 1 million in the late 1980s to less than 11'000 in 2005. Out of the 20 countries that were endemic at the beginning of the programme in 1980, 11 have interrupted transmission and 4 more are currently reporting less than 100 cases per year. Three countries, Ghana, Mali and Sudan reported over 95% of the world's total number of cases in 2005. Progress achieved in these countries in the coming years will determine the overall chances of success of the eradication effort.

All representatives of Guinea worm affected countries renewed their commitment towards reaching the 2009 target, but insisted that adequate resources be mobilized until the final goal is reached. "We cannot relax until the last worm has been killed" said Dr Don Hopkins, Associate Executive Director of Health Programmes at the Carter Center, USA.

Of the 9 remaining endemic countries, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia are expected to interrupt transmission by the end of 2006, and Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria and Togo by the end of 2007. The remaining three countries, Ghana, Mali and Sudan, are expected to interrupt transmission by 2009. If this plan is achieved, all countries can be certified free of disease transmission by 2012.

Dr Tabita Shukai, Minister of Health of Sudan highlighted the new opportunities for accelerating the efforts to eradicate the disease in post-war Sudan, whereas Professor Akosa, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, made a personal commitment towards fighting the disease in Ghana. Mme Maiga Zeinab Mint Youba, Minister of Health of Mali highlighted the challenges to bring safe water to the people living in the last endemic area shared by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Dr Sambo, Director of the WHO Regional office for Africa praised the progress made, the strong commitments of all countries and partners in the Guinea worm eradication effort and promised increased support by WHO towards the programme until all countries are freed from the disease.

Dr Gezairy, Director of the WHO Regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean, praised the progress made in this eradication programme, but insisted on the need to sustain resources and continue efforts - in providing clean water and in strengthening the health system for surveillance which should also benefit all other diseases - and proposed regular cross-border meetings and yearly reporting on progress in Guinea worm eradication to the WHA. Both Regional Directors acknowledged the personal commitment and support of President Carter and Mrs Carter towards Guinea worm eradication efforts.