

Dr. Donald Hopkins: From Smallpox Eradication to Near-Ending Guinea Worm Disease
Few public health figures have left as profound a mark on global disease eradication as Dr. Donald R. Hopkins. A veteran of some of the most ambitious health campaigns in history, Hopkins was instrumental in the eradication of smallpox—the only human disease ever completely wiped out. Today, he stands on the brink of achieving a similar feat with Guinea worm disease, having helped reduce its incidence from an estimated 3.5 million cases annually in the 1980s to just 14 human cases worldwide in 2024.
This article traces Dr. Hopkins’ extraordinary career and the relentless global efforts to consign Guinea worm disease to history, underscoring the power of sustained public health work and international cooperation.
Early Career and Smallpox Eradication
Dr. Donald Hopkins began his career in tropical public health with a focus on some of the world’s most challenging infectious diseases. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was deeply involved in the global smallpox eradication campaign, working in West and Central Africa. His leadership and expertise contributed to the elimination of smallpox in some of the most difficult regions, an achievement that electrified the global health community and paved the way for the disease’s complete eradication in 1980.
Hopkins’ work during the smallpox campaign included directing vaccination efforts, surveillance, and containment strategies. His experience in these complex field operations established him as a leading figure in public health and tropical medicine.
Transition to Guinea Worm Eradication
After smallpox eradication, Dr. Hopkins continued his commitment to neglected tropical diseases. In 1987, he joined The Carter Center as senior consultant for health programs, later becoming vice president for health programs, and ultimately serving as special advisor for Guinea worm eradication.
Guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, is caused by a parasitic worm transmitted through contaminated drinking water. The worm emerges painfully from the skin about a year after infection, causing debilitating symptoms that can incapacitate individuals for weeks. The disease primarily affects impoverished rural communities lacking access to clean water.
When The Carter Center took leadership of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in 1986, the disease afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people annually across 21 countries in Africa and Asia.
The Strategy for Eradication
Unlike smallpox, Guinea worm disease has no vaccine or effective drug treatment. Eradication efforts have relied on traditional public health measures: educating communities, providing safe drinking water, using simple filters to remove infected water fleas, and containing cases to prevent transmission.
Dr. Hopkins and his team implemented village-based surveillance, health education, and water source protection programs. They worked closely with affected countries, local health workers, and international partners including the World Health Organization, CDC, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dramatic Decline in Cases
Thanks to these efforts, Guinea worm disease cases plummeted from millions to just a few dozen annually in recent years. In 2020, only 27 human cases were reported worldwide, a 50% drop from the previous year despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2023 and 2024, the number of human cases had fallen even further—to 13 and 14 respectively—concentrated mainly in Chad and South Sudan. This represents a greater than 99.99% reduction since the program’s inception.
Challenges and Animal Reservoirs
While human cases have dramatically declined, animal infections—especially in dogs—have emerged as a new challenge, particularly in Chad. In 2024, over 660 animal infections were reported, mostly in dogs, complicating eradication efforts.
Dr. Hopkins and collaborators are intensifying surveillance and interventions to break transmission in animal reservoirs, recognizing that this is a critical hurdle to achieving complete eradication.
Recognition and Legacy
Dr. Hopkins’ contributions have been widely recognized. He received the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation Prize for Improving Health and an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from the American Museum of Natural History’s Richard Gilder Graduate School.
His book, originally titled Princes and Peasants: Smallpox in History and later reissued as The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in History, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1983, reflecting his deep understanding of the historical and social impact of infectious diseases.
The Road Ahead: Nearing Eradication
The Guinea worm eradication campaign is on the cusp of history, poised to make Guinea worm only the second human disease eradicated after smallpox. The recent passage of the “Accelerating the Eradication of Dracunculiasis” resolution by the World Health Assembly underscores global commitment to this goal.
Dr. Hopkins continues to advise and support these efforts, emphasizing the importance of sustained vigilance, community engagement, and international cooperation.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- No Vaccine or Cure: Guinea worm eradication relies entirely on prevention, education, and clean water access.
- Long Lifecycle: The Guinea worm takes about a year to mature inside the human body before emerging painfully through the skin.
- Historic Toll: Before eradication efforts, Guinea worm disease caused immense suffering among some of the world’s poorest populations.
- The Carter Center: Founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the Center has been a leader in Guinea worm eradication since 1986.
- Animal Hosts: Dogs and other animals can now carry Guinea worm, complicating eradication.
- Smallpox Eradication: Smallpox is the only human disease eradicated so far, declared eradicated in 1980.
- Global Collaboration: The eradication campaign involves WHO, CDC, UNICEF, Gates Foundation, and many national governments.
Conclusion
Dr. Donald Hopkins’ career exemplifies dedication to global health and the power of persistent, well-coordinated public health campaigns. From his pivotal role in eradicating smallpox to leading the near-elimination of Guinea worm disease, Hopkins has helped transform millions of lives.
As the world edges closer to consigning Guinea worm disease to the history books, his work stands as a testament to what can be achieved through science, education, and international partnership. The “miracle” of reducing a devastating disease from millions of cases to mere handfuls is a beacon of hope for future eradication efforts worldwide.

Why the Brooklyn Bridge Was Once Crossed by 17 Camels and 21 Elephants
On May 30, 1883, a rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge was going to collapse caused a stampede, which killed at least at twleve people. To prove the bridge was safe, P.T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants over it.

The extraordinary case of Olivia Farnsworth, who hit by a car and dragged down the street without pain because of chromosome 6 deletion
In 2016, 7-year-old Olivia Farnsworth was hit by a car and dragged down the street, but she did not feel a thing. That is because of a rare condition called “chromosome 6 deletion,” which causes her to feel no pain. She also does not experience hunger or exhaustion.

Thousands of Rare "Ice Eggs" Blanket Finnish Beach in Spectacular Natural Phenomenon
Thousands of ice balls recently covered a beach in Finland, a rare phenomenon caused by wind and waves sculpting pieces of ice into smooth spheres. These "ice eggs" can vary in size from chicken eggs to soccer balls and have also been spotted in other cold regions globally.

How Dmitri Mendeleev Developed the periodic table of the elements
1850 Dmitri Mendeleev walked almost a thousand miles to Moscow so he could apply for the University of Moscow. Although he was not accepted, he walked to St. Petersburg where he was accepted, And with that education, he developed the the periodic table of the elements

The youngest person executed, George Stinney Jr was proven innocent
In 1944, George Stinney Jr. was 14 years old when he was executed in South Carolina. It took only ten minutes to convict him — and 70 years to exonerate him.

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile
One thing is certain: when it comes to ensuring nice weather for the world's largest party, the Chinese cannot be accused of being subtle. The Chinese government authorized the use of 1,104 cloud seeding missile launches from 4:00-11:39 p.m. on Friday night to reduce the possibility of rain ahead of the 29th Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water
On June 10, 1986, two-and-a-half-year-old Michelle Funk fell into an icy creek and was submerged for 66 minutes. When rescuers pulled her out of the water, she was not breathing, had no pulse, and appeared lifeless. The doctors used various techniques to rewarm her blood and bring her back to life. She was successfully resuscitated and went on to lead a healthy life.

Man gave his stem cell fund to a disabled boy
Dan Black, who was paralyzed in a bike accident, spent four years raising 20,000 for a stem cell treatment that could let him walk again. However, after learning about a five-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, he donated the funds for the boy's medical treatment in order to enable him to take his first steps.

8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC
If you ask your friends what's the most famous ship in history the answer in most cases will be the same, of course the legendary Titanic. Its history is full of mysteries, at first it was a source of hope and national pride as well as proof of the triumphs of mankind but it soon became a source of nostalgia and pain, the extent of which cannot be described in words.

Preserving Bodies in a Deep Freeze Await Revival
There are currently hundreds of deceased people in the U.S., including baseball legend Ted Williams, whose bodies are frozen in liquid nitrogen in hopes that future technology will be able to revive them.

[solved] “macaroni mystery”, 500 pounds of pasta dumped in new jersey
In April 2023, Old Bridge, New Jersey, faced a peculiar 'Macaroni Mystery' when 500 pounds of pasta were mysteriously dumped in the woods.

Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible amusement park
Gordon Hartman was heartbroken when his special needs daughter, Morgan, was rejected by a group of children playing by the hotel poolside. He then set out to build a place where all children can play together. This led to the development of the world’s first ultra-accessible amusement park, Morgan’s Wonderland

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year
A Chinese man purchased a First Class Ticket, which included admission to a VIP Lounge with free food. Over the course of a year, he rescheduled over 300 times in order to receive over 300 free dinners. When questioned, it was discovered that he is rescheduling his reservation to another date after eating. He eventually cancelled the ticket and got a full refund.

Terry Fox, a 21-year-old one-legged cancer patient who ran 143 days before dying
Terry Fox was a 21-year-old one-legged cancer patient who ran 3,339 miles across Canada in 143 days before dying.

A man joins a search operation without realizing he is the missing person
Beyhan Mutlu, a Turkish national, was reported missing by local media and unintentionally joined search teams looking for himself in a forest. He was drunk and lost in the woods when he ended up in a group with others looking for himself.

Atomic Tourism: In the 1950s, nuclear tests in Las Vegas served as a draw for tourists
Between 1950 and 1960, Las Vegas offered “Atomic Tourism” in which guests could watch atomic bombs being tested in the desert as a form of entertainment.

The story of The chicken that lived for 18 months without a head
Mike the Headless Chicken was a rooster whose head was accidentally chopped off but miraculously survived. This is due to most of the brain stem being left intact. He was fed using a special tube that delivered food directly into his esophagus. Despite his lack of a head, he lived for 18 months, gaining worldwide fame before ultimately choking on a kernel of corn during one of his tours, in a Motel in Fruita, Colorado.

The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
Stephen Bibrowski, also known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a well-known sideshow entertainer. His entire body was covered in long hair, giving him the appearance of a lion; this was most likely due to a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. Lionel traveled to the United States in 1901 and began performing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."

The 1978 Lufthansa Heist: Unraveling the Mystery of America's Most Infamous Airport Robbery
During the 1978 Lufthansa heist, robbers infiltrated JFK Airport, restraining employees and holding a night guard hostage. They escaped with $5.9 million—worth over $27 million today. The crime, linked to the Lucchese crime family, remained unsolved for decades, with most suspects vanishing

What is secret behind the Australia’s mysterious pink lake?
Lake Hillier in Australia maintains a bright pink hue all year round. Although no one knows for sure what causes the unique coloring, experts speculate that it might be the result of high salinity, a pink bacteria called “halobacteria,” and a salt-loving algae species called Dunaliella salina.

Japanese man accidentally switched at birth grew up in poverty while other baby lived life on privilege
In 2013, a 60-year-old Japanese man found out that he had been accidentally switched at birth. His biological parents were wealthy, but he was given to a struggling, single mother. While the infant who took his place grew up with all the luxuries and became the president of a real estate company, he grew up poor and became a truck driver. He later sued the San Ikukai Hospital in Tokyo that made this awful mistake in 1953.

Mysterious ghost ship found with mummified captain inside [SOLVED]
German captain had been sailing the world for 20 years. It was unknown when or how he died or how long the ghost ship had been adrift