Guinea Worm or Dracunculus medinensis
Possibly the largest tissue parasite to affect human beings, Guinea Worm or Dracunculus medinensis can grow up to 3 feet in length. The larvae of this parasite is found in stagnant pools, shallow ponds, and exposed wells. It infects people who drink or use this unsafe or contaminated water. Curiously, it does not affect animals and so, if proper hygienic precautions are taken, there is a strong possibility of eradicating this infection completely. Many World Health organizations are already working towards this goal.
Guinea Worm Infection was previously widespread around the world, especially in dry and tropical areas. These days it is no longer widely prevalent in Asia, although some cases may be found in rural areas of Rajasthan in India, and is found principally in Africa. The African countries of Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Benin, Ethopia, Mali, Togo and Uganda are particularly infamous for Guinea Worm Infection. There were around 32000 cases of Guinea Worm Infection in 2003, which actually is a drastic improvement on the millions that were previously common. Nearly 60% of the cases in recent times were found in the Sudan, where years of warfare and displacement of local populations have been not been favorable for maintaining proper water hygiene.
Guinea Worm Infection is not fatal, but it is extremely painful, with the patient suffering from swellings, blisters and open sores. In some cases, the infection can lead to more debilitating conditions and permanent scars. The patient usually cannot carry out any of his/her usual duties for over 3 months. So this also leads to economic loss. In Nigeria, farmers suffered millions of dollars of loss due to Guinea Worm Infection.
Guinea Worm Infection:
The larvae of the guinea worm enter the human body through contaminated water and reside and grow in the intestine for nearly a year. Then they mate, the male guinea worms die, and the pregnant female guinea worms move out of the intestine and migrate to other parts of the body, generally moving towards the surface of the body to perforate the skin and emerge out.
The Guinea Worm usually emerges from the sole or the ankle, but it can also emerge out from any other body part. A blister is formed on the skin which perforates to allow the worm to come out. The worm can take up to 2 months to emerge out and during this time the affected person bears considerable pain and discomfort, and is, of course, unable to carry out any kind of regular work.
When the Guinea Worm perforates the skin and starts emerging out, a common tendency is to immerse that part of the body in water to relieve the pain. Unfortunately, the Guinea Worm finds water as favorable. When it comes in contact with water, the pregnant Guinea Worm releases a milky liquid containing hundreds of larvae. These are eaten by microscopic water flies and rest in the new host's intestine. These water flies in turn are ingested when someone drinks that water and the whole cycle begins again.
Detection of Guinea Worm Infection:
Guinea Worm Infection is detected when the worm starts emerging out. Usually, before this, the infected person suffers from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever. This is due to the chemicals that the worm releases inside the body. However, this happens after the worm has been the body for over an year.
There is no cure for Guinea Worm. It is possible to remove the worm surgically, but the most common method is to wrap the emerging worm around a piece of stick until the whole worm comes out. Care is taken to ensure that the worm is not killed or perforated, or this can lead to additional complications.
Many times, a single person can be infected by not one but several Guinea Worms. The fact that you've once had Guinea Worm Infection does not mean that you won't have it again. Prevention is the best option.
Prevention of Guinea Worm Infection:
Guinea Worm Infection can be combated by following proper hygienic precautions. Water should be boiled and filtered before use. Contaminated water should be avoided at all costs. Digging bore wells with pumps and wells with enclosed copings can also help stave off the disease. Proper education regarding hygiene should be imparted in rural and backward areas. Contaminated persons should be kept away from drinking water sources. Treating water with a chemical to destroy the Guinea Worm larvae will also help.
People traveling to areas known for Guinea Worm Infection, should remember to use filtered water for drinking, bathing and brushing teeth.
Possibly the largest tissue parasite to affect human beings, Guinea Worm or Dracunculus medinensis can grow up to 3 feet in length. The larvae of this parasite is found in stagnant pools, shallow ponds, and exposed wells. It infects people who drink or use this unsafe or contaminated water. Curiously, it does not affect animals and so, if proper hygienic precautions are taken, there is a strong possibility of eradicating this infection completely. Many World Health organizations are already working towards this goal.
Guinea Worm Infection was previously widespread around the world, especially in dry and tropical areas. These days it is no longer widely prevalent in Asia, although some cases may be found in rural areas of Rajasthan in India, and is found principally in Africa. The African countries of Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Benin, Ethopia, Mali, Togo and Uganda are particularly infamous for Guinea Worm Infection. There were around 32000 cases of Guinea Worm Infection in 2003, which actually is a drastic improvement on the millions that were previously common. Nearly 60% of the cases in recent times were found in the Sudan, where years of warfare and displacement of local populations have been not been favorable for maintaining proper water hygiene.
Guinea Worm Infection is not fatal, but it is extremely painful, with the patient suffering from swellings, blisters and open sores. In some cases, the infection can lead to more debilitating conditions and permanent scars. The patient usually cannot carry out any of his/her usual duties for over 3 months. So this also leads to economic loss. In Nigeria, farmers suffered millions of dollars of loss due to Guinea Worm Infection.
Guinea Worm Infection:
The larvae of the guinea worm enter the human body through contaminated water and reside and grow in the intestine for nearly a year. Then they mate, the male guinea worms die, and the pregnant female guinea worms move out of the intestine and migrate to other parts of the body, generally moving towards the surface of the body to perforate the skin and emerge out.
The Guinea Worm usually emerges from the sole or the ankle, but it can also emerge out from any other body part. A blister is formed on the skin which perforates to allow the worm to come out. The worm can take up to 2 months to emerge out and during this time the affected person bears considerable pain and discomfort, and is, of course, unable to carry out any kind of regular work.
When the Guinea Worm perforates the skin and starts emerging out, a common tendency is to immerse that part of the body in water to relieve the pain. Unfortunately, the Guinea Worm finds water as favorable. When it comes in contact with water, the pregnant Guinea Worm releases a milky liquid containing hundreds of larvae. These are eaten by microscopic water flies and rest in the new host's intestine. These water flies in turn are ingested when someone drinks that water and the whole cycle begins again.
Detection of Guinea Worm Infection:
Guinea Worm Infection is detected when the worm starts emerging out. Usually, before this, the infected person suffers from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever. This is due to the chemicals that the worm releases inside the body. However, this happens after the worm has been the body for over an year.
There is no cure for Guinea Worm. It is possible to remove the worm surgically, but the most common method is to wrap the emerging worm around a piece of stick until the whole worm comes out. Care is taken to ensure that the worm is not killed or perforated, or this can lead to additional complications.
Many times, a single person can be infected by not one but several Guinea Worms. The fact that you've once had Guinea Worm Infection does not mean that you won't have it again. Prevention is the best option.
Prevention of Guinea Worm Infection:
Guinea Worm Infection can be combated by following proper hygienic precautions. Water should be boiled and filtered before use. Contaminated water should be avoided at all costs. Digging bore wells with pumps and wells with enclosed copings can also help stave off the disease. Proper education regarding hygiene should be imparted in rural and backward areas. Contaminated persons should be kept away from drinking water sources. Treating water with a chemical to destroy the Guinea Worm larvae will also help.
People traveling to areas known for Guinea Worm Infection, should remember to use filtered water for drinking, bathing and brushing teeth.
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