The
Carter Center is committed to advancing human rights
and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Join
us in creating a world in which every man, woman,
and child has the opportunity to enjoy good health
and live in peace.
Guinea
worm disease is a parasitic disease that rarely makes headlines
but is so painful and debilitating that its effects reach far
beyond a single victim, crippling agricultural production and
reducing school attendance. A child suffers and is unable to
attend school, work, or play. A parent suffers and is unable
to harvest crops or care for younger children. Commonly called
the "fiery serpent," dracunculiasis — the medical
term for Guinea worm disease — has been around for centuries,
more...
Lymphatic
Filariasis (LF) is a disease in man caused by the worm Wucheria
bancrofti in certain female mosquitoes. It causes
the enlargement of the limb or scrotum and roughness of the
skin like that of the elephant. more...
Schistosomiasis
(SH) or Biharzia is a disease caused by a tiny worm called Schistosome.
These are small fluke worms that live in the instestine or bladder.
The female worm lays manyh eggs which enter the bladder or intestine
and then pass into the urine or stool. In this process the disease
damages the kidney, liver or the bladder. more...
Trachoma
is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It
is caused by infection with the Chlamydia trachomatis
bacteria, making it both treatable and preventable. There is
no need for a single person to go blind from trachoma, yet that
is the fate of more than 7 million people worldwide, with an
additional 500 million at risk. Trachoma affects the poorest
of the poor - people marginalized and neglected in developing
countries who are already under the heavy burden of numerous
other infectious diseases. more...
Onchocerciasis,
or river blindness, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the
bites of small black flies that breed in rapidly flowing streams
and rivers. Since 1996, The Carter Center has been a leader
in the fight against river blindness in Africa and the Americas
by working in thousands of communities in 11 countries. more...
After Guinea worm eradication, it is
Elephantiasis
The
battle for eradication of guinea worm in Nigeria appears to
have been won. With the last reported case over one year ago,
it remains for the Federal Ministry of Health and the United
Nations to certify the country free of the disease. Country
Director, the Carter Center, Dr. Emmanuel Miri spoke to about
how the 'feat' was achieved. more...
Millions will be spared future
suffering thanks to efforts of The Carter Center and Nigeria's
Ministry of Health to control widespread parasitic diseases
such as Guinea worm, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis,
river blindness, and trachoma.
Guinea
worm disease is a parasitic disease that rarely makes headlines
but is so painful and debilitating that its effects reach far
beyond a single victim, crippling agricultural production and
reducing school attendance. A child suffers and is unable to
attend school, work, or play. A parent suffers and is unable
to harvest crops or care for younger children. Commonly called
the "fiery serpent," dracunculiasis — the medical
term for Guinea worm disease — has been around for centuries,
Lymphatic
Filariasis (LF) is a disease in man caused by the worm Wucheria
bancrofti in certain female mosquitoes. It causes
the enlargement of the limb or scrotum and roughness of the
skin like that of the elephant. 
Schistosomiasis
(SH) or Biharzia is a disease caused by a tiny worm called Schistosome.
These are small fluke worms that live in the instestine or bladder.
The female worm lays manyh eggs which enter the bladder or intestine
and then pass into the urine or stool. In this process the disease
damages the kidney, liver or the bladder. 
Trachoma
is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It
is caused by infection with the Chlamydia trachomatis
bacteria, making it both treatable and preventable. There is
no need for a single person to go blind from trachoma, yet that
is the fate of more than 7 million people worldwide, with an
additional 500 million at risk. Trachoma affects the poorest
of the poor - people marginalized and neglected in developing
countries who are already under the heavy burden of numerous
other infectious diseases. 
Onchocerciasis,
or river blindness, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the
bites of small black flies that breed in rapidly flowing streams
and rivers. Since 1996, The Carter Center has been a leader
in the fight against river blindness in Africa and the Americas
by working in thousands of communities in 11 countries. 
The
battle for eradication of guinea worm in Nigeria appears to
have been won. With the last reported case over one year ago,
it remains for the Federal Ministry of Health and the United
Nations to certify the country free of the disease. Country
Director, the Carter Center, Dr. Emmanuel Miri spoke to about
how the 'feat' was achieved.