How did Jimmy Carter nearly eradicate one of the worlds worst diseases?

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]In 1986, the Guinea worm parasite infected 3 and 1/2 million people every year.

[00:00:06]It grows up to 3 ft long inside a human body and slowly emerges from the skin over weeks of agony.

[00:00:14]There is no vaccine. There is no medicine.

[00:00:17]In 1986, former US President Jimmy Carter decided to wipe it out anyway.

[00:00:24]The Carter Center taught millions of people in 21 countries how to filter their drinking water through fine cloth.

[00:00:32]That is all it took.

[00:00:34]In 2023, only 13 cases of Guinea worm were reported in the entire world.

[00:00:40]It will be only the second human disease ever eradicated.

[00:00:45]Jimmy Carter said before his death, "I would like the last Guinea worm to die before I do."

[00:00:51]He almost got his wish.