20 good things that happened in 2017

15. The Guinea Worm parasitic disease and polio are on their way out

At this point in history, humans have done away with only one disease 00 smallpox. This viral infection was once a major scourge in communities throughout the world. It was highly contagious and oftentimes deadly. Even those that survived the painful rash that spread all over their body were often left with disfiguring smallpox scars.

The first successful vaccine ever was developed to combat smallpox. Edward Jenner, an English doctor, observed that people infected with cowpox, a similar disease, did not catch smallpox. He took the observation further and began inoculating people with cowpox.

Earlier forms of smallpox inoculations were not always successful and even sometimes infected others. Jenner’s work was the first to truly succeed. Further developments in the vaccine and massive movement to inoculate people in the 20th century led to the effective eradication of the disease by 1980.

Now, scientists and medical professionals worldwide are working to eradicate two more diseases: guinea worm and polio. Though the efforts have experienced some significant roadblocks, instances of both disease have been dramatically reduced.

Guinea-worm disease and polio

People become infected with guinea worm when they drink water contaminated with infected water fleas. These people then may experience painful lesions as a female worm emerges through their skin. Guinea-worm disease can sometimes make it too painful to work or move.

Though dogs have become transmission points and have made the fight to eradicate the disease more difficult, historically low numbers of people have become infected thanks to better treatment and preventative measures (warning: link includes photos of the lesions and parasites).

Polio, meanwhile, is also taking a big hit from vaccination programs. In a small number of people infected with the poliomyelitis virus, muscle weakness may develop. This can lead to paralysis of certain muscles, including those in the limbs and diaphragm. Two vaccines have been the cause of a precipitous drop in new cases per year — an injected form and one administered orally.

However, proper vaccination requires multiple doses. Strong vaccination programs and dedicated, trained volunteers (who often have to face skepticism and violent resistance) have made a major difference. Last year, only 17 cases of polio were reported worldwide.