During a recent working visit to Atlanta, USA, Cameroon's Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda, discussed the resurgence of Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) in the Far North region of Cameroon with officials from the American NGO The Carter Center (TCC). Indeed, two cases were reported in the health district of Guéré, close to the border with Chad, in 2019. In Atlanta, Malachie Manaouda explicitly stated that Cameroon intends to retain the "disease-free" certification awarded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017.

The Carter Center, an NGO founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, is committed to supporting Cameroon's response to dracunculiasis. While formal decisions are pending, TCC appears likely to fund the country's Strategic Plan for the Elimination of the parasitic disease. Further details are expected soon.

While waiting for TCC to definitively take over the efforts previously led by Cameroon, the country continues its fight to stop the disease's spread, ensuring the well-being of its citizens. Health authorities, with the support of WHO experts, remain vigilant in monitoring suspected cases. This commitment is highlighted in a 2022 document on Guinea worm epidemiological surveillance, published by the Chadian government.

The document commends Cameroon's success because it detected no dracunculiasis cases in humans or animals since 2019. This achievement is significant, especially given that neighboring Chad remains a hotspot for the disease in Africa. As noted in the document, "The Guinea worm infections in Cameroon are part of an epidemiological cluster that includes families living on both sides of the border between Cameroon and the Bongor district in Chad, where Guinea worm disease is endemic."

Cameroon intends to cooperate closely with Chad to ensure the sub-region completely eradicates Guinea worm disease.

Michel Ange Nga