New efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease

[7 October 2009 - 10h44]

Still present in 6 African countries, dracunculiasis or Guinea worm disease could soon be eradicated. According to the WHO, Ethiopia, Mali and Ghana are on the point of winning the battle against this disease, which is caused by a parasitic worm. Niger, Nigeria and Sudan are also making good progress.

Guinea worm disease is transmitted through contact with contaminated water. In its larval state, this parasite takes up residence inside tiny water fleas called cyclops. People become infected by drinking this water without filtering it. What happens then? The worm goes on gradually growing inside the body until it measures as much as 1 metre long and 2 mm in diameter! It moves from tissue to tissue causing intense pain.

In 9 out of 10 cases the worm exits the body via the foot, causing a fierce burning sensation and ulceration. At this stage only plunging the foot in water seems to offer any relief. But at the same time, this cool water causes female worms to contract, leading to the expulsion of thousands of embryos which are then ingested by the water fleas. And the cycle of disease begins once again …

But in Ghana and elsewhere, it is now possible to prevent transmission by filtering drinking water from ponds and pools, and by ensuring that people with wounds do not enter water reservoirs. At the same time, major work has also been carried out to repair faulty water pumps because the fact is that it is when water supplies break down that people turn to dangerous sources, the WHO points out.

Source : WHO, September 2009

>> Cet article est aussi disponible en français

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.