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 Madel...

By Presented by Ian Sample, with Madeleine Finlay, produced by Ellie Sans, the executive producer was Ellie Bury