The global atlas of podoconiosis

The world stands on the edge of an historic public health success with the imminent eradication of dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) and polio. Since the World Health Assembly called for the eradication of dracunculiasis in 19861 and poliomyelitis in 1988,2 astonishing progress has been made. In 2016, only 25 human cases of dracunculiasis were reported from three countries,3transmission of wild poliovirus was found in only three countries, and 37 cases of polio were reported worldwide.4 In addition to these achievements, there has been progress in the elimination of the little-known disease podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis).