Can we eradicate a second human disease? – podcast

The number of human cases of guinea worm, a painful and debilitating tropical illness, fell to a record low of just 10 last year, according to the Carter Centre, the foundation set up by the late former US president Jimmy Carter. But despite years-long declines, it remains almost impossible to completely eradicate the parasite. Only one human illness has been entirely eradicated: smallpox. Why is it so difficult, and could guinea worm one day be the second? Ian Sample hears from co-host Madeleine Finlay, and David Molyneux, emeritus professor of tropical disease microbiology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Guinea worm disease could be second ever human illness to be eradicated

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