I’ve got good news for humankind: The world is on the brink of eradicating Guinea worm disease, which would make it the second human disease ever eradicated after smallpox.
Now for the not-so-good news: The progress toward eradication is fragile, and all the hard-won gains could be lost without sustained commitment from the global community.
As we commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day today, the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease is a powerful example of what country-led, global health collaboration can achieve. It’s also a warning about what’s at risk, as the fallout from funding challenges in global health threatens to reverse progress at the exact moment when the eradication milestone is within reach.