Ethiopia reported zero human cases and 6 infected baboons for January-June 2019. Of the 8799 rumours reported and investigated more than 99% rumours within 24 hours.

Since 1996, the Ethiopian Dracunculiasis Eradication Programme has offered a cash reward for voluntary reporting of dracunculiasis cases and for complying with the case containment measures. In 2018, the award was increased from Birr 2000 [about US$ 65, current exchange rate] to Birr 10 000 [about US$ 350]. A reward of Birr 500 is offered for reporting an infected dog. Please call toll-free number 8335 or report to the nearest health facility immediately to receive the cash reward of Birr 10 000 for a confirmed case of guinea-worm disease.

Ethiopia reported zero human cases and 17 animals (11 dogs, 5 cats and 1 baboon) with Dracunculus medinensis infections for the period January to December 2019.

In 2018, 160 villages were under active surveillance. Of the 18540 rumours reported and investigated, more than 99% were investigated within 24 hours.

2017

Ethiopia reported 15 human cases in 2017 compared with 3 cases in 2016.

The human cases were reported from 5 villages.

• Gambella Region
• Abobo
• Gutok village (1 case)
• Gambella town
• G/HC (1 case)
• Itang district
• Mohamed Cresher (1 case)
• Oromia Region
• Anfilo Woreda
• Gomi village (8 cases)
• Duri village (3 cases)
• Goru Gutu Woreda
• Amegolo village (1 case)

Most of the patients were adult males who had possibly drank contaminated water in Goyi Farm in Abobo in the past 10–14 months.

A total of 4 infected baboons and 11 infected dogs were detected from January to October 2017 in the same woreda where human cases were reported in 2016. None of the infected baboons was contained; 7 of the infected dogs were contained.

Of the 13 433 rumours reported and investigated, more than 96.85% were investigated within 24 hours.