This is a timeline of deworming, and specifically mass deworming.

Big picture

Time period Key developmentsLate 17th centuryBirth of modern helminthology as European physicians first detail anatomy of parasitic worms. 1851–1915 Understanding of and interest in schistosomiasis deepens as more people come in contact with the disease. 1948–present Following World War II, the World Health Organization "has been the principal body concerned with the international support of research and control programmes" of schistosomiasis. However, despite this and the implementation of programs, prevalence of schistosomiasis increases in many areas. 1949–1997 Both Japan and South Korea successfully implement national programs to essentially eliminate soil-transmitted helminthiasis. 2001–present The World Health Assembly declares deworming as a focus. Various deworming organizations form.

Full timeline

Year Event type Event Disease name Geographic location 16th century BC Schistosome parasites thought to first evolve in the Great Lakes of East Africa around this period. Schistosomiasis Africa16th century BCGuinea Worm is described in several ancient Egyptian texts, and is thought to be common in the areaDracunculiasisEgypt1st Century7th CenturyDiscoveryRoman and Byzantine physicians are familiar with human roundworms and tapeworms and the infections that they cause.Roundworm, tapewormRoman Empire1683–1684DiscoveryBirth of modern helminthology. Detailed anatomy of the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) is described, first by English physician Edward Tyson (1683), and shortly afterward by the Italian Francesco Redi (1684).RoundwormEngland, Italy 1799–1801 Crisis Napoleon's soldiers almost certainly suffer from haematuria caused by schistosomiasis infection. Schistosomiasis 1851 Discovery Theodor Bilharz discovers the parasite responsible for schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis 1882 Publication First mention of schistosomiasis in The Lancet. Schistosomiasis 1883 Interest in schistosomiasis heightens in England (and Europe more generally) due to more frequent encounter with the disease following English occupation of Egypt. Schistosomiasis England, Egypt 1893–1918 Program launch Four commissions designed to understand schistosomiasis are sent to North Africa. Schistosomiasis Africa1898DiscoveryScientist Arthur Looss discovers that hookworms enter the body by boring through the skin when he accidentally infects himself. Hookworm 1909 Organization The Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease (RSC) is founded. One of RSC's main goals is to eradicate hookworm disease in Southern United States. The RSC is active from 1910 to 1914, and closes in 1915. It is replaced by the International Health Division (IHD), another Rockefeller Foundation initiative, which tackled public health concerns on a global level. Hookworm United States1914–1934Overdose of oil of chenopodium, administered as part of the Rockefeller hookworm eradication program, causes over 200 documented deaths. More than 80% of deaths occur in children under 12.Hookworm 1915 Discovery Robert Thomson Leiper works out the life-cycle of schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis 1926–1931Successful eradication Guinea Worm is eradicated in Uzbekistan through a series of health education and sanitation measures.DracunculiasisUzbekistan 1927–1951 Attempts are made to kill the intermediate hosts for schistosomiasis (i.e. snails) using copper sulfate instead of sanitation and health education. The reasoning here is to prevent the schistosomiasis life-cycle from being completed. However it is unclear if these measures reduced the prevalence of schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis 1938 Schistosomiasis Commission proposed by Hilmy Bey; the League of Nations Health Committee suggests more research on the disease, but nothing is done due to the imminence of World War II (among other reasons). Schistosomiasis 1939–1945 Crisis Allied soldiers affected by schistosomiasis in China, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands. This brings the disease to international attention. Schistosomiasis 1942 Program launch Schistosomiasis control program begins in Venezuela. Schistosomiasis Venezuela 1947 Publication First assessment of the distribution of schistosomiasis in the world by Norman Stoll. Schistosomiasis 1948 Program launch The first World Health Assembly decides to establish an "Expert Committee" to deal with schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis 1949 Program launch Volunteer organizations for deworming form in Tokyo and Osaka, which implement "biannual school-based mass screening and treatment". Soil-transmitted helminthiasis Japan 1955 Program launch Japan Association of Parasite Control (JAPC) forms. JAPC is a consolidation of several previous deworming groups that existed. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis Japan 1965–1995 Program launch Korea Association for Parasite Eradication models their deworming program (a "biannual school-based mass screening and treatment program") off Japanese programs. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis, hookworm, etc. South Korea1971Successful eradication Iran eliminates dracunculiasis.DracunculiasisIran mid-1980s Under Japan Association of Parasite Control, deworming efforts lead to "very minimal levels" of Ascaris. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis Japan1986–presentOrganizationThe Carter Foundation begins a campaign to eradicate Guinea worm. The incidence of guinea worm infection declines sharply, from an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986 to 22 reported cases in 2015. Dracunculiasis 1997 The World Health Organization declares South Korea "essentially worm-free". Soil-transmitted helminthiasis South Korea 2001 The World Health Assembly declares the goal of 75% of schoolchildren in endemic areas receiving deworming treatment. Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminthiasis 2002 Organization The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) established after being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 2013 SCI has been a GiveWell top charity. Schistosomiasis 2007 Organization Deworm the World Initiative is founded. Since 2014 Deworm the World Initiative has been a GiveWell top charity. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis 2012 Program launch Various organizations announce a coordinated effort to eliminate or control 10 neglected tropical diseases, including both schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis 2015 The "deworming debate" takes place starting in July on whether deworming is effective.

See also Helminthiasis List of diseases eliminated from the United States Neglected tropical diseases Soil-transmitted helminthiasis Timeline of global health

References