Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis, commonly known as Guinea-worm disease, is a parasitic infection caused by the ingestion of water contaminated with the larvae of the Guinea-worm. This debilitating condition affects mostly rural, impoverished communities in parts of Africa and Asia. Symptoms can include intense burning pain and rash at the site of the larvae, fever, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. As the larvae migrate through the body, the final symptom is the emergence of a long thread-like Guinea-worm from the person's skin. To prevent this infection, access to safe drinking water is critical. Without significant interventions, the disease has continued to emerge in new locales. Treatment for the infection involves manually extracting the worm from the host, a painstaking and painful process. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease from occurring, or any drugs that can kill the larvae or the adult worms. Dracunculiasis continues to be a significant public health concern and it is important that preventive measures are taken to reduce its transmission.