Having reduced its cases of dracunculiasis by –29% in 1999 to 1,920 (including 4 imported cases), Niger’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program is preparing to finish the job in 2000. The “Kurkunu Crew” and its allies also saw the number of villages reporting one or more cases reduced by –40%, from 282 in 1998 to 170 in 1999. A total of 216 hamlets reported cases in 1999, among the 170 endemic villages remaining. A map showing the location of the five major endemic districts (Mirriah, Tera, Tillabery, Tahoua, and Bouza) was included in Guinea Worm Wrap-Up #95.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection