These parasitic worms are known as “fiery serpents” for the sensation they cause

Photo Credits: Carter Center, NPR

Name
Guinea Worm Disease (also known as dracunculiasis)

Transmission

• The disease is caused by a parasite – a worm known as the Guinea worm which is transmitted to humans through contaminated drinking water
  • When someone drinks from a source contaminated with the Guinea worm larvae, the larvae are released into the body
  • The larvae mature and turn into worms and as the female worms try to exit the body, they form blisters and cause an intense burning sensation
  • The burning often leads people to submerge their legs/feet in water for relief and while the blister is submerged, the female worm comes out and releases thousands of larvae into the water, thus contaminating the water and continuing the cycle of infection for others
• People cannot directly infect each other

Geography
Africa, parts of the Middle East and South Asia, but has been almost eradicated

• Only two cases remain worldwide and they are in Chad
• There are also two suspected cases, one in Chad and one in Ethiopia

Incubation Period
10 – 14 months after larvae are ingested

Signs and Symptoms

• Skin swelling
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Painful blisters or ulcers on the skin (usually on the lower legs and feet)
• Burning sensation on skin
• Severe joint pain

Diagnosis
Clinical examination to see the Guinea worm coming out of the skin

Treatment

• There is no vaccine or medication for treatment
• The only treatment is to slowly pull or cut the worm out of the infected person’s body

Prognosis

• Not fatal, but quite painful
• Occasionally, permanent damage can occur if an infected person’s joints become locked
• Can temporarily disable the infected person for several months as the wound caused by the worm coming out can often develop a secondary bacterial infection
  • This makes the pain worse and can increase the time an infected person is unable to function

Prevention: What Can You Do?
Ensure you have access to safe, clean drinking water (treat the water, use filters, construct copings around well heads or the installation of boreholes with handpumps)

Guinea Worm Disease In the News

• Last Days of Guinea Worm

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/guineaworm/
http://www.who.int/dracunculiasis/disease/en/