Dr. Rajkumar PatilAsstt.Prof.,

Dept. of Community Medicine,AVMC, Pondicherry

Statement of problemStatement of problem

Global burden of cases has been reduced by 99% from over 3.5 million in the 1980's to approximately 10,000 in 2005

9 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are endemic

Ghana and Sudan reported approx. 9500 cases(2005)

GWD eradicated from India in 2000,last case in July 1996

Larvae active in water for 6 days

15 days for development of larvae in cyclops(intermediate host)

Agent FactorsDracunculus medinensis, nematode wormM-2cm F-60-120cm

Reservoir Infected person

Host factorsAll ages, both sex susceptibleRepeated infection in same individual (no immunity)

Environmental factorsStep wells: Summer ,Ponds: June-Sept, Temp:25-30 C

Mode of transmissionOral: Consumption of water containing cyclops harbouring the infective stages of the parasite

Can guinea-worm disease be eradicated?Can guinea-worm disease be eradicated?• first parasitic disease set for eradication

• diagnosis is easy

• the transmission agent "cyclops" , is not a mobile vector

• incubation period in both cyclops and human is of limited duration

• interventions are effective, low cost, easy implementation

• the disease has a limited geographic distribution

• success in eradicating the disease in several countries

• no known animal reservoir

An emerged Guinea worm is being pulled out from a small girl in Africa

What is the treatment for Guinea worm disease?

No medication, only Analgesics/antibiotics

Worm can be surgically removed before an ulcer forms

Guinea worm removal